Making a complaint

It is always ok to speak up if there is something you are unhappy about

You have a right to tell somebody if there is something you are not happy about, if you feel unsafe, or if you feel like your rights are not being met (under the Charter of rights).

You can expect the person you tell to:

• listen to you
• take your concerns seriously
• try and help make things better.

What you should do

Step 1: If you are unhappy, tell your child safety officer (CSO) what is worrying you, how it made you feel and what might help to fix it.

If your concerns are about your CSO, you can talk to the senior team leader at your Child Safety Service Centre.

Or you can talk to another adult you trust like your carer, teacher or a youth worker who can help you make a complaint or talk to someone for you.

Step 2: If you are still unhappy you can contact our friendly complaints team by:

• using the online form
• sending an email to feedback@dcssds.qld.gov.au
• phoning 1800 080 464 (free call available 24 hours, 7 days a week)
• posting your feedback to:

  Complaints Unit
  Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety
  Locked Bag 3405
  Brisbane Qld 4001

Other people you can talk to

Community visitor

You can also talk to your Community Visitor and they will work with you and those involved to help find a solution. They may talk to the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), who will contact Child Safety to ask them what is being done to help you.

Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal

If your concerns are about:

• who Child Safety has decided you should live with
• whether Child Safety will tell your parents where you are living
• the amount of contact Child Safety has decided you can have with your family

you can contact the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, who can review these decisions.

You must contact the Tribunal within 28 days of receiving the letter Child Safety sends you about the decision. You can phone the Tribunal on 3225 8346 or 1300 753 228 (if you live outside Brisbane).

Child Safety After Hours Service Centre

If you need help with an urgent matter outside Child Safety's working hours, contact the Child Safety After Hours Service Centre on phone 1800 177 135 (free call).

Find out more

• Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety
• Office of the Public Guardian
• Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal
• Legal Aid Queensland