*Pictured left to right: City Mission CEO Dr Jo Fearman, City Mission Quality & Risk Manager Craig Stenton, and Quality Innovation Performance assessors Susan Raphael and Kevin McLaughlin*

City Mission is proud to be the first organisation in Australia to successfully participate in Quality Innovation Performance’s (QIP) new Children and Vulnerable Adults Standards pilot and achieve accreditation under the new framework.

This is a significant milestone for City Mission and reflects the organisation’s strong and ongoing commitment to safety, quality, accountability and continuous improvement across all areas of its work.

The new framework marks an expansion of City Mission’s former Child Safe Certification, aligning with the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023 and broadening safeguarding expectations beyond children and young people to include vulnerable adults.

City Mission initiated discussions with QIP to explore a more contemporary and encompassing alternative to its former child safety certification - one that genuinely reflects the organisation’s diverse services and the communities it supports. Through this collaborative process, City Mission was invited to take part in the pilot rollout of the new standards, further strengthening a valued relationship developed over several years.

After completion of the comprehensive self-assessment and onsite assessment conducted by QIP, City Mission has formally achieved accreditation under the QIP Standards for Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults, becoming the first organisation in Australia to do so.

City Mission entered the pilot in a strong position, having already demonstrated a high level of maturity in quality management systems and safeguarding practices. The organisation also received recognition for work already completed through its previous accreditation to Quality Improvement Council (QIC) Health and Community Services Standards, with several components of the new standards deemed to be already met. This accreditation reflects a broader culture of best practice, strong governance and a clear focus on safe, high-quality service delivery.

As part of the pilot, City Mission not only undertook the full accreditation process, but also provided formal feedback on the standards, accreditation process and preparation requirements - helping to shape and strengthen the model for broader use across the sector.

City Mission Quality & Risk Manager Craig Stenton said the achievement was a major milestone for the organisation.

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

“This accreditation reflects a great deal of work across the organisation to demonstrate how our systems, practices and culture supports safe, respectful and accountable environments for children, young people and vulnerable adults.”

“It also demonstrates our commitment to not just meeting expectations, but continuing to strengthen the way we work so the people who engage with City Mission can have confidence in the safety and quality of our services.”

As City Mission continues to deliver services across North and North West Tasmania, the organisation remains focused on embedding strong safeguarding practices across every part of its work - not simply as a compliance requirement, but as a core responsibility and an expression of its values.

This achievement reinforces City Mission’s position as a values-led organisation committed to leadership, continuous improvement and the wellbeing of the people and communities it serves.