FIN provided this feedback in response to the Commission of Inquiry into Queensland's Child Safety System's invitation for public submissions into the Complaints System.
Resources
Charter of Rights for Parents involved with the child protection system in Queensland
This video summaries the Charter of Rights for Parents involved with the child protection system in Queensland. The Charter was developed in a partnership between the Family Inclusion Networks (FIN) of Queensland, the Queensland Parents’ Advisory Committee (the QPAC), and the Department.
FINseq is humbled and honoured to share Leanne's Gift on our website. You can find it here now.
Please note: changes to legislation, policies, and programs are non-stop. As such, these resources are unlikely to remain accurate on every detail. In general, however, they will help. FIN will endeavour to update material when we have capacity. PLEASE send suggested changes to info.fin@micahprojects.org.au.
Parents on a Mission Parents' Guide 2022
This incredible resource shares Leanne's advice, knowledge, and support from over 14 years of lived experience of getting through the child protection system in Queensland. Chapters include:
"My children have been removed"
"Your relationship with the Department"
"Caring for your children"
"Going to court"
"Dealing with family and friends"
"Common vocabulary used throughout your case"
Leanne's Gift digital pack for parents
This resource includes some information (downloads) to support you, from information on domestic violence to a legal aid application form, social assessment, and more.
Leanne's Gift digital pack for kids
This resources includes some information (downloads) to support your children through the process, including information for different age groups.

Equal | Chance is written by and with parents and families with experience in the Queensland child protection system.
Each year, parents who have experienced (and are experiencing) the child protection system gather with their allies.
We heard about some of the challenges for many parents experiencing the child protection system. (The feeling of “being enclosed in a black box” was one of the powerful descriptions.)
Parents also talked about ideas, hope, and action:
“This is the power of walking with,
Of listening without judgement …”
Watch the recording here!
After a successful pilot in 2023, FREE Parent Advocacy Training is back in Term 3 (and part of Term 4) 2025 for parents who have experience of the child protection and/or family support system.
FINs and parent advocacy across Australia
Information about FINs in North Queensland and across Australia can be found on the Family Inclusion Network Australia Website
FINs and parent advocacy across the world
Information about family inclusion and parent advocacy across the world can be found on the International Parent Advocacy Network Website
On 28th November, one (1) Parent Advocate chaired a webinar for QCOSS titled Human Rights in Action: Understanding parents’ rights in the child protection system.
Facilitated by the Family Inclusion Network SEQ (FIN), the webinar brought together two (2) parents with lived experience, a Principal Lawyer from Queensland Human Rights Commission, and a Team Leader from Micah Projects Families team. This collaborative effort aimed to enhance the understanding of the rights of families within the child protection system.
Emphasizing the significance of the Charter, the webinar highlighted its role as a potent tool supporting workers, parents, and families in navigating the child protection system while ensuring the protection of parental rights. With the two (2) parents speaking to their experiences of the child protection system and how they have or could have used the Charter.
Around 200 people registered their interested to see the recording and receive the information. 80 attended live - including at least three (3) other parents with lived experience of the system.
FIN used parents’ views and ideas to make a submission into the independent review of the Queensland Human Rights Act 2019. Prof. Susan Harris Rimmer invited stakeholders from across Queensland to provide feedback on experiences of the Human Rights Act 2019.
FIN’s suggestions focused on parents and families experiencing the child protection system, including:
- A simplified, independent complaints process for parents and families experiencing child protection intervention
- A register of civil litigation that could improve the performance of agencies in their human rights obligations
- Information sessions and/or ‘drop ins’ in partnership with community organisations (such as Micah Projects) that work with families impacted by Child Safety intervention
- Partner to establish a trial of a ‘family defender’ or ‘family reunification’ community legal service that focuses on child protection
The review also asked if there were “any additional human rights you think should be included as human rights under the Act?”
Housing is frequently a factor in Child Safety decisions. FIN therefore supports the right to housing be added. Fulfilling the right to adequate housing includes consideration by the State of the affordability and accessibility of housing, including focusing on protecting the most vulnerable and marginalised peoples’ human rights.
“Answerable and accountable to no-one … If you don’t hold people accountable you can’t fix the system.”
FIN gathered the views and suggestions of 50 parents as input for the ‘Child Protection Litigation Model’ Review 2024. The review seeks to “deliver a permanent child protection litigation model”. The project’s priorities are “set out in Charter Letters to both the Minister for Child Safety and the Attorney-General”.
FIN’s paper summarises the day-to-day impacts the ‘child protection litigation model’ has on the families it is designed to serve. The paper does not attempt to add to other stakeholders’ input around contemporary legal theory, practice, or service delivery models. Parents provide a vital and unique perspective that must sit firmly at the forefront for decision-makers as they come together about the future of the ‘Child Protection Litigation Model’.