Child Safe Organisation

Autism Queensland (AQ) is committed to the safety, wellbeing, and inclusion of all children and young people. We uphold and actively promote the Queensland Child Safe Organisations Standards, ensuring our practices prioritise the rights, voice, and safety of every child.

We have zero tolerance for any form of harm or abuse, including physical, sexual and psychological abuse, as well as neglect. We recognise and respect the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the children and families we support. We are committed to:

• Fostering a culture of inclusion, equity, and respect for all children and young people, including those with disability, from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and who identify as LGBTQIA+.
• Ensuring cultural safety and responsiveness in our engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities, recognising their enduring connection to land, culture, and community.

All AQ staff, volunteers, carers, and community members who attend AQ sites are expected to:

• Act in the best interests of children and young people at all times.
• Encourage and support children, young people, and their families to have a voice and participate in decisions that affect them.
• Respond promptly and appropriately to any concerns, suspicions, or allegations of harm.

Queensland Child Safe Organisation Standards:

1. Leadership & culture: Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in the entity’s organisational leadership, governance, and culture.
2. Voice of children: Children are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them, and are taken seriously.
3. Family & community: Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
4. Equity & diversity: Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
5. People: People working with children are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
6. Complaints management: Processes to respond to complaints and concerns are child-focused.
7. Knowledge & skills: Staff and volunteers of the entity are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and awareness to keep children safe through ongoing education and training.
8. Physical & online environments: Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing and minimise the opportunity for children to be harmed.
9. Continuous improvement: Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
10. Policy & procedures: Policies and procedures document how the entity is safe for children