About the project
The Workforce Strategy Project is dedicated to strengthening and sustaining Queensland’s residential care workforce—because a well-supported workforce is essential to providing safe, stable, and high-quality care for children and young people.
Residential care workers play a critical role in supporting children and young people in care. Yet, like many sectors, residential care faces challenges in attraction, retention, and workforce capability. This project works alongside sector partners to address these challenges, making sure workers have the skills, support, and career pathways needed to thrive.
PeakCare, in partnership with the Queensland Government, is committed to developing a practical, evidence-based workforce strategy that paves the way for a more stable, resilient, and effective care system.
Investing in the workforce means investing in better outcomes for children and young people—building stronger relationships, improving service quality, and securing a sustainable future for the sector.
Resources
Queensland’s residential care system provides a crucial safety net – when its needed most - for children and young people experiencing vulnerability. Our workforce is characterised by people driven to make a difference. As a sector, however, we continue to face challenges in the delivery of quality care, as demand rises and the needs of children and young people become increasingly complex.
This Insights & Opportunities Report builds on work already undertaken to identify challenges and opportunities within Queensland's residential care system.
View the Summary Report with key indicators and highlights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Workforce Strategy
See below for our most recent FAQs. If there is anything you would like to see or discuss, we welcome you to contact us at anytime to workforce@peakcare.org.au
Workforce Strategy:
Why does the sector need a workforce strategy if the Queensland Government has committed to reducing the number of young people in residential care?
Workforce is currently identified as the most significant challenge across all sectors in Queensland. A strong, supported workforce is essential to addressing the complexities in the child and family welfare landscape. By addressing workforce challenges, providing necessary training, and improving job satisfaction, we aim to attract, train and retain our dedicated care staff, leading to more stable and high quality care environments. A robust workforce strategy will directly benefit the young people for whom residential care is the most suitable option by ensuring they receive the best possible support and care from well-trained, motivated, and supported staff.
Will the workforce strategy address immediate concerns for our organisation such as probity requirements?
Catalyst for Care is committed to supporting workers and enabling the provision of the best possible care for all children in Queensland. While the Workforce Strategy is not designed to resolve immediate concerns, our engagement processes will contain vital insights and feedback for relevant government agencies on what is working well within the system, and what could be improved. Your sustained input and engagement is essential to informing the development of this strategy – let us know what the most pressing concerns and limitations are for you and your organisation to workforce@peakcare.org.au