Kristy, Child Safety Officer

Being a Child Safety Officer isn’t the easy option. But Kristy couldn’t imagine doing anything else. That’s because she knows her actions mean real outcomes for vulnerable children. And there’s nothing more rewarding for this hard-working CSO. Find out how Kristy brings a unique perspective and unbreakable determination to help keep Queensland children safe.

A face at the door

It’s a familiar routine, punctuated by distinct sounds: The slam of the car door, Kristy’s footsteps crunching on gravel, then her hand knocking on a front door, her friendly voice greeting a new client. Since joining our eastern Brisbane Investigation and Assessment team in 2018, Kristy’s been the first point of contact for hundreds of families who’ve been referred to the department.

Her goal? To build trust and rapport with families in crisis and, ultimately, ensure children are kept safe. It’s a role that Kristy, with her unique blend of humour, empathy and pragmatism, is extraordinarily well-equipped to perform. But strangely enough, it goes against everything Kristy told herself when she first started working in child protection.

I was one of those people who just wanted to invest all my time and energy into the kids. It was ‘Let’s focus on the kids, talk to them and support them. But over the years, I’ve definitely learnt that children are not the ones responsible for their own protection. So, a lot of what I do these days is connecting with parents.

For Kristy, supporting parents and carers means meeting them at their level - literally. If the parents are sitting on the floor, Kristy will join them.

I say to all my parents, ‘You’re going to need to dig deep but I’m going to be there with you. I’ll walk alongside you, every step while you build up your support network’. It’s about helping them grow their “toolkit for life” so when I close their case file, I can honestly say to each parent ‘You’ve got this’ and they’ll have that belief in themselves too.

It takes a generosity of spirit and a huge dose of patience, but Kristy’s approach works.

At some point, you’ll get that jump-for-joy moment, you know? Like, when one mum said to me, ‘I don’t know how to say this to you, Kristy, but getting reported to Child Safety is the best thing that’s happened to me. This is what I needed.’

Shaping a better story for others

For Kristy, keeping children safe is deeply personal.

Child protection for me didn’t start when I picked up a book at university. I have my own experience as a child that I bring to this job. It’s helped prepare me for what you see and hear in this role.

A traumatic childhood can be incredibly challenging to overcome without the right support. However, Kristy has deliberately chosen to create something positive out of something painful. Her determination to protect other children from going through what she experienced is a big part of the reason she’s a Child Safety Officer. It’s also why she’s a passionate advocate for talking about the issues that make people uncomfortable.

I don’t like the stuff that's hidden. Domestic violence, it’s hidden. Child sexual abuse is hidden- it’s a topic avoided in conversation even though we know it’s happening. It’s all this secrecy stuff. We need to talk about it! A world without child abuse, that’s my goal. It’s contributing to shaping a better outcome for children, one family at a time, one visit at a time.

Kristy’s lived experience not only drives her to go above and beyond as a Child Safety Officer, but it also informs how she responds to challenging situations. She does so with a sense of utmost calm.

My attitude is that this is the most important job in the world. I know how I need to behave in challenging situations. You just have to be methodical, take the steps, and do what needs to be done. Then, when you get back to the office, it's about having a really good support system in place so you can debrief before you go home.

Kristy didn’t get the support and care she needed as a little girl, but she knows her work is helping ensure vulnerable children today have a chance at a different story.

I’m in this role to help children get the help they need when they’re still kids. Because by the time you’re an adult, it’s quite hard to reverse all of that. So, it actually helps me, doing this job; it gives me a sense of purpose.

Why Kristy stays

No bones about it, Kristy says being a Child Safety Officer comes with its fair share of challenges. And even for someone as dedicated as Kristy, there have still been times when she’s considered stepping away.

Kristy has explored other lines of work: Primary School Teacher, Personal Trainer. But each time, the pull of her role at the department makes the decision easy.

The reasons to stay are really strong. You end up forming friendships with people from your team because we’re all like-minded; we share that sense of natural justice. We need to give a voice to our little people, to make them visible in a society where they’re often not seen or heard. People often say to me, ‘How do you do this job?’ And I say, ‘How can you not do this job?!’

Kristy has found many people have misconceptions about what it’s like to work for the department. “Isn’t it sad?” they’ll ask.

It’s actually the complete opposite!” Kristy says. “There’s lots of good moments here. Yes, the stories are sad but then, by the time people transition out the other end, there’s often a lot of happy stories.

One way Kristy ensures all the positive gains stay front of mind is by keeping track of the journeys of the children she’s supported. Carers, parents and staff in other support agencies know to send Kristy photos and share with her the wins, as well as the challenges. The birthdays celebrated, the children who grow up and find good jobs, the siblings who reconnect - it’s the big wins and the little wins.

It’s knowing that I’ve contributed to the safety of these children and helped give them a chance in life. That’s how I see it. How many of these kids will go on to live fulfilled lives with meaningful relationships and positive experiences? We can create real opportunities for kids. We can support families to meet their children’s needs. And together, we can help children climb the ladder, all the way to the top.