Resources

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.

"Imagine if the support families received was practical, adaptable, tailored, safe, and early". This UN Global Day of Parents, Parents talked of "Being seen and heard...Not just being looked at as a statistic or another parent with a child in the system. But as a voice that matters, a voice that is wanting the best for their children and most importantly, know what’s best for our children". This is just one quote from the many parents and workers who came together today to start the "imagining". The hope was strong! We can do this!

Family Inclusion Network Southeast QLD submission for Sunset Review of Child Protection Regulation 2011 (the Regulation).

FIN believes the Regulation should be updated in line with the Human Rights Act 2019 and the principles under the Act. We suggest that the agreement to provide care for a child removed from their parents should also include the parents and family as a party to the agreement, and that their views, wishes, and goals regarding reunification be included as a term of the agreement.

FIN also suggests that the Regulation should reflect information that aligns with the standards of care outlined in the Act. The parents in FIN have provided feedback about how the Regulation, in its current form, impacts their access to information about where their child is living and in whose care they are placed.

FIN was consulted about the sunset review in March 2023.

Full text: Sunset Review of Child Protection Regulation 2011 Submission

Over the years, dissatisfaction with the Child Safety complaint process has been a consistent theme when parents have engaged with FIN.

FIN understands that changes to the Child Safety complaints system were introduced in 2020/2021 as a result of the Queensland Ombudsman’s - Management of child safety complaints – second report (March 2020). This report followed an earlier Ombudsman investigation into the then Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ management of Child Safety complaints (2016).

The Ombudsman stated, “the department’s complaints management system is crucial to ensuring any clients’ concerns with the actions and decisions of the department in administering Queensland’s child protection system can be raised and rectified appropriately” (2020).

In June 2020, FIN was consulted on intended changes to the complaints system.

Full text: Parents Views on Child Safety Complaints Process

Submission to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

‘We should not be punished for having a disability.’ Recommendations for reforms to Child Protection, Family Services and Disability Systems from Parents with a Disability

A submission to the Disability Royal Commission (DRC) from Family Inclusion Network Australia (FINA) with input from Positive Powerful Parents (PPP) Self Advocacy Group

Dr Kate Fitt

Dr Christina David

RMIT University

December 2022

Full text: Fitt David FINA PPP DRC Report

Families are the fundamental unit of society, and parents are charting the course towards their inclusion and rights in the child protection system.

This forum was held in person at the Queensland Multicultural Centre, and an online recording is available here.

If you are a parent who becomes involved with the Department, you have rights. The Charter of Rights for Parents sets out the rights of 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.

Green Shoots – Parents across Australia are growing change in the child protection system. Watch the Global Day of Parents 60 minute panel discussion.

On 3 August 2020 FIN Southeast Queensland made a Submission to a Queensland Parliamentary Committee - who were looking into yet another Bill proposing changes to the Child Protection Act (1999). It is FIN's hope that a more balanced system will emerge from this proposal.