The Queensland Child Safety Commission of Inquiry
Understanding the Queensland Child Safety Commission of Inquiry
The Queensland Government has launched an independent Commission of Inquiry into the child safety system (The Inquiry), it’s a big moment for everyone connected to care, especially for young people, families, and carers.
The Inquiry is a formal investigation established by the Queensland Government. A Commission of Inquiry can be called when the Government believes there needs to be a really thorough and detailed look at a specific issue within the state, and there is formal legal process to make it happen.
At Life Without Barriers, we welcome this inquiry. It’s a chance to reflect, learn and improve. Most importantly, it’s a space where the voices of young people and carers really matter.
The Inquiry is taking a deep look at how Queensland’s child protection system works, especially how it responds to children at risk and how it supports families, foster carers, and residential care.
It’s asking big questions, like:
How do we make residential care better for children?
How do we make the whole system safer and more supportive?
What needs to change in the laws that guide child protection?
What does it mean to be a good ‘corporate parent’ and are we living up to that?
The Inquiry is led by Commissioner Paul Anastassiou KC. Paul is a retired Federal Judge and there are lawyers who will assist him, these are called ‘Counsel Assisting,’ and they are independent from government. That means he and his team can ask the tough questions and share honest findings.
Recent reporting and data, including the 2024 Children in Care Census, showed serious concerns about how the system is working for children. Families, experts, and advocacy groups have been calling for this kind of in-depth review. The government listened, and The Inquiry is the result of that.
If you’re a young person in care, or a carer, The Inquiry is about your experiences too. You can choose to share your story, your ideas, or your views publicly or privately.
The Commission is developing a Youth Engagement Program to make sure young people are heard in a way that feels safe and respectful. Life Without Barriers will support you every step of the way if you want to speak up, and we will share more information about the program when it is available.
You don’t need to go through this alone, we will make sure you have clear, accessible information about:
How to make a submission
What’s happening in the Inquiry at different stages
Where to go for support or advice
We believe that sharing your voice can make a real difference.
Life Without Barriers is ready to be part of this process in whatever way helps. That might mean providing information, sharing what we’ve learned from experience, or supporting our staff and carers as they take part.
We’re also listening closely to The Inquiry’s findings as they’re released, not just waiting for the final report. This is part of our commitment to doing better every day.
We’ll keep our website updated with:
Easy-to-understand summaries of The Inquiry updates
Resources for carers and young people
Links to official information from The Inquiry team
This is about creating change, together
Inquiries can be confronting. They highlight what hasn’t worked, where things have gone wrong, and where people have been let down. But they’re also about possibility, what we can do better, how we can work differently, and how we can centre the needs and strengths of children and young people.
We’re here to walk through this alongside you.
Learn more or share your story
Visit the Child Safety Commission of Inquiry official site or reach out to Life Without Barriers if you want support or more information.