Keeping CQ Children, Volunteers and Organisations Safe.
At CQ Child Safe Consultants, we are dedicated to ensuring that Central Queensland’s local organisations, sporting clubs, and community groups are not just compliant, but leaders in child safety.
Services we provide
CQ Child Safe Consultants provides expert-led audits and professional policy development to ensure your club meets the mandatory requirements of the 10 Child Safe Standards encompassing the Universal Principle of Cultural Safety and the Reportable Conduct Scheme. We also deliver specialised safety reviews of incidents and leadership training, leveraging professional expertise to advise organisations of proactive steps to mitigate future risk and building a child safe culture.
Child Safe Standards 'Readiness Review'
A "stoplight" assessment of your organisation's current compliance with the Child Safe Standards.
Information and consideration of the Universal Principle of Child Safety
A physical inspection of facilities
A review of digital communications
An internal documentation audit to identify critical gaps
Provide your organisation with a defensible roadmap for mandatory compliance.
Reportable Conduct Scheme 'Readiness Review'
A comprehensive diagnostic of your organisation’s capacity to meet QFCC standards. We audit five critical pillars:
Reporting Infrastructure
Policy Alignment
Investigation Capacity
Staff Awareness
Head of Entity Support
External Investigations and Incident Reviews
Independent systemic reviews of incidents to identify organisational gaps, providing the club with comprehensive findings and strategic measures to mitigate future risk. Expert knowledge of appropriate professional boundaries and consideration of evidence to substantiate or unsubstantiate allegations.
Leadership Training
Our high-level leadership training moves beyond basic awareness and compliance, focusing on how to build a child safe culture within your organisation.
Who am I?
Principal Consultant - David Longhurst
My name is David Longhurst and I am the Principal Consultant of CQ Child Safe Consultants, dedicated to helping Central Queensland sporting organisations protect their players, volunteers and their committees by creating safe environments for children to feel safe and flourish. My expertise is built on a unique professional perspective:
Current Role: I work within the Education sector providing expert advise to my employer and their schools in relation to Student Protection and Safeguarding.
9 Years in the Queensland Police Service (QPS): Nine years as a member of the QPS as a general duties officer and Police Prosecutor has given me a specialised eye for identifying environmental risks, supervision gaps, and "red-flag" behaviours that standard consultants often overlook. I understand how to assess physical and digital safety through the lens of harm prevention.
Legal Qualification As a final-year Law student, I possess the technical skills to interpret the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 and translate complex legislative requirements into clear, actionable steps for volunteer committees. I hold a Graduate Certificate in Police Prosecutions,
Local Sporting Roots: As an active local coach and parent, I understand the challenges of running a volunteer-led club. I don’t just provide a "checklist"—I provide practical solutions that work on the sidelines, in the clubhouse, and in the community.
Qualifications
Graduate Certificate in Police Prosecutions - 2019
Diploma of Public Safety (Policing) - 2015
Current Study
Bachelor of Laws (4 years) - University of New England - Expected completion: September 2026
Graduate Certificate in Safeguarding Children and Young People - Australian Catholic University - Expected completion: September 2026