The ECS e-bulletin is the Department of Education, Training and Employment’s newsletter for services that come under the Education and Care Services Act 2013 and the Education and Care Services Regulation 2013. Communication practice for matters referred to the Queensland Police Service The department is responsible for investigating complaints, incidents or possible offences that breach the Education and Care Services Act 2013 and the Education and Care Services Regulation 2013. As part of their investigations, authorised officers may decide a matter needs to be referred to the Queensland Police Service (QPS), including a Child Protection Investigation Unit (CPIU) or Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB). In the majority of cases, matters referred to the QPS involve allegations of deliberate harm to a child. Investigation process Once the department refers the matter to the QPS the best course of action for each investigation is determined, having regard to the advice from the QPS. In some instances, where it may impede their investigations, the QPS may request that the department not investigate immediately. As a result, the time it takes the department to investigate and resolve the matter will be affected. Departmental investigations may also be delayed or extended if evidence or information is sought from other agencies or parties. The decision to stand down a staff member during an investigation is usually made by the approved provider of the service. The department will not intervene in these decisions unless there is a risk to the safety, health and wellbeing of children. Communication practice Service providers involved in a matter referred to the QPS may contact the relevant regional office to discuss the investigation’s progress. There are restrictions on what information the department can share. The department is not able to disclose any information the QPS has provided about its investigation. The department will share as much information as possible with the relevant parties about the progress of its own investigation. There are specific details about an investigation the department may not disclose due to legislative confidentiality provisions and to preserve the integrity of the investigation. For more information Contact your local regional office. Visit our website | Contact us | Subscribe to A to Z of Early Childhood monthly e-newsletter for more information about early childhood education and care initiatives in Queensland. If you no longer wish to receive this email newsletter email us, with ‘unsubscribe’ in the subject line. March 2015