Families should not have to navigate Queensland’s Child Safety system alone.

Parents involved with Child Safety are expected to understand complex assessments, case plans, meetings, service requirements, court processes and information-sharing rules—often while experiencing trauma, domestic and family violence, housing instability, mental health challenges or the grief of separation from their children.

I created ParentShield after experiencing how overwhelming and difficult this system can be for families. Parents need practical assistance to understand what is required, address safety concerns, maintain accurate records and participate meaningfully in decisions about their children.

We are calling on the Queensland Government to establish and independently evaluate a two-year Parent Support and Navigation Pilot informed by the ParentShield model.

The pilot should provide eligible families with:

a dedicated Parent Support Coordinator, operationally separate from statutory case decision-making;
assistance understanding case plans, meetings, court processes and lawful information requests;
practical coordination of housing, counselling, domestic violence, mental health, parenting and other services;
secure digital tools for documents, evidence, timelines, appointments and communication records;
culturally safe and disability-accessible support;
clear complaint and escalation pathways; and
continuing support after long-term orders where safe family relationships remain important.
Child safety must always come first. This petition does not claim that every removal is unnecessary or that every child should be reunified. Some children will require long-term care where that is the safest outcome.

However, when safe reunification is possible, parents should receive genuine support to address concerns and demonstrate change. Supporting parents earlier can protect children, improve family engagement, assist Child Safety workers and help prevent families from becoming lost in the system.

We ask Minister Amanda Camm and the Queensland Government to meet with ParentShield, co-design this pilot with families and professionals, and publicly report its outcomes.

Please sign if you believe protecting children and properly supporting parents should go hand in hand.