The Commission worked openly, fairly and independently.
The Commission was guided by a list of topics about the child safety system. These topics were considered during the inquiry.
This list was known as the ‘terms of reference’. The list included:
- how the child safety system works for everyone involved, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, their families and communities
- how children, families and carers in the system are treated
- early intervention programs
- models of care – including residential care, foster care, and kinship care
- the roles of the agencies in the child safety system
- how you can complain about problems with the system
- anything else about child safety.
You can also read the full terms of reference.
Collecting information
The Commission looked at information and people’s stories to see how the child safety system was working.
The Commission would also get information and records from organisations in the child safety system. This could include:
- Government departments and entities
- law enforcement organisations
- family support organisations
- child protection organisations
- out-of-home care placement and service providers, including residential, foster and kinship care
- foster and kinship care peak bodies
- legal services.
In general, these organisations had to give the Commission any information it asked for.
The Commission also asked people and organisations to speak at a public hearing to share their story or information.
The Commission held public hearings across Queensland. Visit the Hearings page for further information.
Reporting on findings
The Commission collected all of this information, people’s stories, and evidence given at hearings. The Commission used this information to report on problems with the child safety system and suggested ways to make the system better.
The Commission submitted its final report on 22 May 2026.
