Executive officers and board or committee member blue card requirements
Executive officers and board/committee members of organisations that provide regulated child-related services have obligations under the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 and must ensure they have a Child and youth risk management strategy to help create a safe and supportive environment for children.
As decision makers, these executive officers and board/committee members also require blue cards. If an executive officer or board/committee member of a Queensland-based organisation that delivers child-related services in Queensland lives interstate, they will also need a blue card.
Executive officers and board/committee members cannot start in their roles until they hold a valid blue or exemption card.
Depending on the type of child-related services the organisation provides, an executive officer or board/committee member may be considered a business operator and captured under regulated business such as a P&C, or employee and captured under regulated employment —for example board/committee members of a sporting association are employees.
Executive officers and board/committee members who are considered business operators have specific obligations under the blue card system, including notifying Blue Card Services of all regulated businesses they operate.
Note: In this instance, an executive officer is any person involved in the management of the corporation (regardless of their position title or whether or not they are a director of the corporation).
Organisations providing multiple services
There are many organisations that provide multiple regulated child-related services under a single business structure, which means their executive officers and board/committee members can be business operators under more than 1 category of child-related regulated business or employment.
When a business operator applies for a blue card it is important for them to indicate all the categories of regulated child-related services the business is providing.
For example where an organisation provides a licensed care service, an education and care service, and health, counselling and support services, the board members are considered to be business operators under 3 categories of regulated child-related business.
As business operators, executive officers and board/committee members may be accountable to a governing or peak body depending on the type of regulated child-related service they operate. Note that not all categories are linked to a governing or peak body.
Linking to a governing/peak body
When a business operator applies for a blue card and selects non-state schools, directors of governing bodies and authorised persons, education and care services, or businesses relating to licensed care services under the Child Protection Act 1999 category of regulated business, they are automatically linked to the relevant regulatory governing or peak body.
Accordingly, the blue card of an executive officer or board/committee member of:
- a licensed care service will be linked to the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services
- an education and care service will be linked to the Office of Early Childhood Education and Care
- a non-state school will be linked to the non-state school accreditation board.
This means the relevant regulatory governing or peak body is notified if a business operator’s blue or exemption card is suspended or cancelled. The relevant regulatory governing or peak body can then ensure the person is not undertaking any regulated activities under the blue card system without a valid blue card and will advise the organisation where relevant.
Sharing card details with the organisation
Once the executive officer or board/committee member receives confirmation of their blue or exemption card approval, they can share their blue card details with the blue card coordinator—or similar—of their organisation. The blue card coordinator will record their details in the organisation’s blue card register and may request a copy of the executive officer or board/committee member’s blue or exemption card for this purpose.