A national first in safeguarding: Launceston City Mission achieves accreditation under QIP’s Safeguarding Standards

QIP General Manager, Operations, Evan Hill and National Manager, Health Services Accreditation, Amanda Sheehy were honoured to join Launceston City Mission staff for a special afternoon tea and Presentation of Certificate event celebrating a significant national milestone – becoming the first organisation in Australia to achieve accreditation against QIP’s internationally accredited Standards for Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults, Edition 1 (QIP Safeguarding Standards).

The event recognised City Mission’s achievement and the organisation’s longstanding commitment to strengthening safeguarding culture, accountability and continuous quality improvement.

This accreditation also signals an important step forward in the rollout of the QIP Safeguarding Standards, helping organisations deliver safer, more accountable services for children and adults at risk nationwide.

City Mission CEO Dr Jo Fearman said the accreditation was both a significant organisational milestone and an important reflection of the organisation’s values and longstanding commitment to safe, accountable and person-centred care.

“At City Mission, we work alongside people at some of the most vulnerable points in their lives. That brings with it a profound responsibility to ensure the care we provide is supported by strong systems, clear accountability and a culture of safeguarding.”

“Becoming the first organisation in Australia to achieve accreditation under these new standards is something City Mission is incredibly proud of,” Dr Fearman said.

Dr Fearman said City Mission was proud to have worked alongside QIP throughout the process and to have contributed to the development of a framework that will help strengthen safeguarding practice across the wider sector.

AGPAL Group CEO, including QIP, Dr Tina Janamian said City Mission’s achievement reflects a growing recognition across the sector of the importance of independent external assurance in building safer, more accountable organisations for children, young people and vulnerable adults.

“We are delighted that City Mission has become the first organisation in Australia to achieve accreditation against the first edition of QIP’s internationally accredited Safeguarding Standards,” Dr Janamian said.

“This achievement demonstrates genuine leadership and a strong commitment to external review, continuous improvement and strengthening protections for children, young people and vulnerable adults.”

Dr Janamian said the QIP Safeguarding Standards were designed to help organisations continually strengthen safeguarding governance, systems and culture through rigorous, evidence-based and independently assessed accreditation processes.

They were developed in response to growing expectations for stronger safeguarding systems. The Standards provide organisations with a practical framework to strengthen governance, leadership and day-to-day safeguarding practice.

City Mission’s journey to accreditation was shaped by close collaboration with QIP. After approaching QIP to explore a contemporary accreditation pathway, City Mission participated in piloting the assessment methodology for the first edition of the Standards, helping to refine the framework for broader sector implementation.

City Mission entered the accreditation process from a position of maturity, already holding accreditation against the QIC Health and Community Services Standards. Its strong governance foundations and commitment to continuous improvement supported a rigorous and successful accreditation journey.

For QIP, this milestone reinforces the value of developing accreditation frameworks in partnership with the sector to ensure they remain practical and capable of driving genuine improvement in safeguarding culture and accountability.

Together, QIP and City Mission see this achievement as an example of what is possible when accreditation bodies and service providers work collaboratively to strengthen trust, accountability and safer environments for the communities they serve.

To find out more about QIP Safeguarding Accreditation and how it can support your organisation to strengthen safeguarding governance, culture and accountability, visit: QIP Safeguarding Standards for Children and Vulnerable Adults.

For more than 170 years, Launceston City Mission has supported people experiencing hardship and disadvantage across north and northwest Tasmania. Established in 1854 and as Australia’s second oldest mission, the organisation continues to provide care, support and practical assistance to thousands of people each year through the dedication of staff, volunteers, donors and community supporters.

 Its accreditation against the QIP Safeguarding Standards reflects a longstanding commitment to creating safe, accountable and person-centred services that help build brighter futures for the communities it serves.