About us

What does the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian do?

Mission

The Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian is an organisation which promotes and protects the rights, interests and wellbeing of all Queenslanders under 18.

Vision

The Commission is independent, and its decisions are not influenced by any Government department or other agency.

We:

• monitor and review laws, policies and practices impacting on services provided to children and young people
• administer a state-wide Community Visitor Program for children and young people in alternative care - including foster care
• receive and investigate complaints about services to children and young people known to the Department of Child Safety
• maintain Child Death Register, administering the Child Death Case Review Committee and conducting research into child deaths
• employment screening of certain types of child-related employment
• educate the community to comply with the Commission’s Act
• monitor and review laws, policies and practices that impact on the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children and young people at risk
• conduct research into issues impacting on the safety and well being of children and young people, and
• promote laws, policies and practices that uphold the rights, interests and wellbeing of children and young people, particularly those at risk.

What is the role of the Commissioner?

The Commissioner is responsible for overseeing the work of the Commission, so staff fulfil the responsibilities listed above.

Who is the Commissioner?

The Commissioner for Children and Young People and Child Guardian is Elizabeth Fraser.

Elizabeth has worked at all levels of government, and lived and worked in a number of countries providing direct services as well as in policy areas. She has managed large scale organisational change and co-ordinated and evaluated major policy and program reforms.

Elizabeth started her career as a social worker in public health and child welfare organisations in Canberra and later taught English as a foreign language in Australia, Hong Kong, Sweden and Nigeria. On her return to Australia, she managed non-government funding programs in the overseas aid program in Canberra, managed the program's review of the status of women and oversaw an evaluation of government services to Queensland rural communities.

Before being appointed as Commissioner, Elizabeth was General Manager, Corporate and Executive Services in the former Department of Innovation and Information Economy, Sport and Recreation Queensland and Executive Director, Social Policy in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. She has a long standing commitment to improving client outcomes, particularly for children and young people, and is committed to effective relationships with key stakeholders which contribute to good policy and practice.

What is the role of the Child Guardian?

The Child Guardian oversees services for, and decisions about, children in the care of the Department of Child Safety.

 

Last Updated: July 18, 2008

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