The process of coming to judgement in child protection social work is like deciding whether or not to jump from the Titanic as it lists: both types of decisions operate under limited time, conditions of uncertainty, lack of complete knowledge of all relevant factors, unknown and unknowable outcomes and significantly negative possibilities regardless of which...

This study involved undertaking quantitative analysis of a range of established longitudinal data sets, primarily from the Longitudinal Survey of Australian Children (LSAC).

The blue card system was introduced in 2001 to address widespread community concerns about the number of children who had been exposed to significant levels of abuse in service environments intended to promote their safety and wellbeing. The system was further strengthened on 31 May 2006 to include screening requirements for foster and kinship carers...

This paper assesses whether the blue card system (designed to help prevent the abuse of children) has made for safer service environments for children and young people in Queensland. The blue card system plays a critical part in the prevention of abuse and practices that may place children at risk of harm when they are...

On 12 November 2012, Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced that she would be recommending to the Governor-General the establishment of a Royal Commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse in Australia.