Queensland Rugby League (QRL) is proudly supporting Brisbane-based child protection agency Social Care Solutions (SCS) to elevate its child safeguarding practices and ensure every child involved in rugby league across Queensland feels safe, is safe, and stays safe.
As a community-based sport with hundreds of thousands of participants, QRL recognises its critical role in protecting children and young people.
This joint association builds on QRL’s existing commitment to the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, and reflects its values of: Inclusivity, Positivity, United and Disciplined, that position QRL as a leader in creating safe, inclusive sporting environments.
“Child safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility,” said QRL CEO, Ben Ikin.
We’re proud to work with Social Care Solutions to ensure our policies, practices and culture reflect our deep commitment to the safety and wellbeing of every child who plays our game.
Ben Ikin CEO, Queensland Rugby League
Social Care Solutions brings over 15 years of experience in child protection and safeguarding consultancy across sectors including health, education, disability, and domestic violence.
Their work with QRL will include a review of current safeguarding practices, informed by the Safeguarding in Sport Continuous Improvement Program (SISCIP) 2024 report developed by Sports Integrity Australia.
The collaboration will focus on:
- Embedding child safety into every level of QRL, from executive leadership to grassroots clubs.
- Creating culturally safe environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children with disability, LGBTQIA+ youth, and those from diverse backgrounds.
- Building internal safeguarding capabilities and closing identified gaps through tailored training, resources, and support.
- Strengthening QRL’s alignment with the newly introduced Queensland Child Safe Standards.
“QRL is going beyond policies and paperwork,” said Mel James CEO and Founder of Social Care Solutions.
They’re leading the way in Australian sport by embedding safeguarding into the very culture of their organisation.
Mel James CEO & Founder, Social Care Solutions
This collaboration sets a new standard for child safety in sport, reinforcing QRL’s commitment to ensuring rugby league is a safe, positive and empowering experience for every child in Queensland.
