Child safety is everyone’s business

Queensland Youth Week is an opportunity to celebrate young people, listen to their voices and reflect on the environments we create around them. Inclusion, connection and empowerment can only thrive when children and young people feel safe. 

During Queensland Youth Week, communities and organisations are encouraged to reflect on how children and young people experience the world around them. 

As selectability’s General Manager, Child & Family Care, Sandra Moore explains, establishing child safe organisations supports this by ensuring adults take responsibility for the environments, behaviours and decisions that shape those experiences. 

“Creating a child safe organisation is about much more than policies and formal programs,” said Sandra.  

“It’s about embedding a culture where children and young people’s safety, rights and voices are respected in every interaction. 

“A strong child safe culture creates the conditions for young people to feel confident, respected and empowered.” 

Being child safe is about everyday actions. It can look like setting clear boundaries, responding appropriately to concerns, and actively listening to young people.  

“It extends beyond our direct work at selectability.  

“Whether we’re supporting families, working in corporate roles, or simply out in our community, safeguarding children and young people is a shared responsibility. 

“Keeping children safe isn’t limited to specific roles … it’s something every one of us carries into our work and our communities.” 

Queensland Youth Week serves as a reminder that children and young people thrive when they feel safe and heard. By embedding child safe practices across our organisation and our daily lives, we help create communities where young people can participate fully, speak up with confidence and look to the future with hope.