BUSHkids Annual Report 2020-2021

A n n u a l R e p o r t 2 0 2 0–2 0 2 1

BUSHkids is a key contributing member of the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership (TQKP). TQKP is a cross-sector coalition comprised of tertiary, not-for-profit, government, and philanthropic bodies committed to making a difference through ‘systems work’ that takes ‘science to service’. TQKP aims to catalyse change by bringing people and knowledge together for the benefit of all children and young people across Queensland.

Collaborations In line with our core values, collaboration has remained a key focus in how we operate across the state.

Building on our earlier research collaboration with The University of Queensland (UQ), BUSHkids’ leadership team joined with key members of UQ’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences for a workshop to explore synergies and opportunities to partner and collaborate at the St Lucia campus. From this, four working parties have been developed to support collaborative projects. These four key areas are: research, telepractice, student placements and workforce development.

BUSHkids is a member of the Every Child Campaign Steering Committee. Every Child is a national advocacy movement that aims to elevate the conversation about the wellbeing of children and young people as a nation-building priority.

BUSHkids has also worked with Central Queensland University (CQU) during the past year, strengthening our ties with the regional institution. Our senior clinical staff provided feedback on the development of the CQU online students’ microcredential “The First 1000 days – Stronger Foundations.” We have also contributed to the Speech Pathology Course at CQU through membership of the course reference committee, presentations to students and provision of student placements.

BUSHkids continues to actively develop policies, procedures and checklists to ensure the safety of children. BUSHkids actively promotes child safety and wellbeing in every aspect of its services and has taken positive action by joining the National Redress Scheme and by developing an organisational culture consistent with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations . Complex challenges facing the organisation include responding to historical claims under the National Redress Scheme and Personal Injury Proceedings Act. BUSHkids is committed to meeting our obligations. Meeting the cost of claims will reduce the resources we have available to deliver services and we will work with government and funders to attempt to ensure that services can be maintained for vulnerable children and families across regional, rural and remote Queensland. childsafe.humanrights.gov.au/national-principles

Safety of children The safety of the children we support is always our highest priority and the organisation does not tolerate abuse of any kind.

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