New Child Death Review Board committed to promoting the safety of Queensland’s children

August 12, 2020 marks the first meeting of the new independent Queensland Child Death Review Board (CDRB).
The CDRB will undertake vital work conducting system reviews following the deaths of children known to the child protection system.

August 12, 2020 marks the first meeting of the new independent Queensland Child Death Review Board (CDRB).

The CDRB will undertake vital work conducting system reviews following the deaths of children known to the child protection system.

The CDRB Chair, Cheryl Vardon said this is an important step forward to address systemic flaws and wherever possible prevent further deaths of children.

“The loss of a child, in any circumstances, saddens me deeply and we must learn from these tragedies to prevent children from dying wherever possible,” Ms Vardon said.

Ms Vardon said the establishment of the CDRB reflects the ongoing changes happening to strengthen systems that protect children.

“Many significant changes to child protection systems across the globe have been as a result of systemic reviews following incidents involving children,” Ms Vardon said.

“That is no matter to take lightly, by learning from these tragedies we can develop meaningful recommendations to prevent harm to children and make sure the systems designed to protect children work as intended.”

In 2017 the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) released a report titled: A systems review of individual agency findings following the death of a child. The QFCC single overarching recommendation to Government was to consider a revised external and independent model for reviewing the deaths of children known to the child protection system – and that is what has been achieved with the Child Death Review Board.

“Our system is the last line of defence in protecting our children, it simply cannot fail,” Ms Vardon said.

“We must learn from the failings, implement recommendations for change and monitor these closely to ensure they are working.

“We have an obligation and responsibility to children who have died and their families, we are committed to honouring them and learning how we can promote the safety of Queensland’s children.”

 BACKGROUND

The QFCC’s recommendation was accepted and became the Child Death Review Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 on 18 September 2019. The Bill was assented on 13 February 2020, becoming the Child Death Review Legislation Amendment Act 2020 with commencement on 1 July 2020.

ENDS

For media information contact:
Kirstine O’Donnell | Queensland Family and Child Commission
Phone: 0404 971 164
Email: media@qfcc.qld.gov.au