Commissioner for Children and Young People WA

Our office is closing for the holiday season from this afternoon. All correspondence will resume on January 2. (Thank you to Sammi, our Year 11, work experience student who completed this wonderful poster!)

Our office will be closed from the afternoon of the 20th of December until the morning on 2nd January. We understand that the holidays can be tough for people, there are phone and online support options available if you need to talk to someone. (We would like to thank Sammi, a Year 11 student who was with us earlier this month on work experience. Sammi created this wonderful poster to share contact information if you need someone to talk to <3)

To organisations that we collaborate with to keep our children and young people safe, happy, and healthy. May you, your teams, families, and communities have a peaceful and safe holiday season. I look forward to what 2025 entails! Please note: Artwork created by children and young people who took part in the 2024 Pilbara Listening Tour.

This Christmas, the Commission-ELF has been keeping a close eye on things at the office 👀   Last Friday, my team celebrated the end of the year with a fun-filled afternoon!   There were snacks, a table quiz and even some karaoke! 🎤   Oh what fun 🎄

As Commissioner for Children and Young People, it is my responsibility to ensure that children and young people live in a state where they are heard, valued, healthy and safe. Our Annual Report is an opportunity to summarise the work being done in my office to help achieve this. You can now view our Annual Report 2023-24 on our website – https://bit.ly/3zlbvwV

As 2024 is coming to a close, I have been working with my team, planning for 2025. I have also enjoyed taking the time to reflect and take a look back on all of the work, positive change and memories that have been made throughout this year. It has given me so much inspiration for how we can continue making an impact and I look forward to continuing my role advocating for children and young people in WA next year. We have so much planned in my office but for now it’s time to take a look back and reflect on 2024!

Human Rights Day serves as a reminder that children, the most vulnerable members of society, deserve unwavering protection and support. Australia’s ongoing failure to implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into domestic law highlights a significant gap in child rights advocacy. Children’s rights are human rights. #HumanRightsDay #UNCRC

Tomorrow marks the end of the #16DaysInWA campaign. However, our responsibility end family and domestic violence remains ongoing. Everyone deserves to grow up in a safe environment, free from violence. Let's continue to advocate, educate, and act to ensure that everyone feels protected and supported. #16DaysInWA

'The service had pride flag posters out the front, but they treated me terribly and misgendered me.' The Youth Pride Network (YPN) ‘State of Play report III” sheds light on the healthcare experiences of young LGBTIQA+ people. Read the full report now - https://tr.ee/YIfEAK1TMx

Through the voices of 43 young people, alongside feedback from staff and service providers, the ‘Hear Me Out’ report presents important findings and 16 actionable recommendations to address the systemic issues within the youth justice system. While I thank the State Government for its response to the 16 findings and recommendations, I am disappointed as I feel it did not go far enough toward addressing the issues raised. There is an urgent need for reform and the prioritisation of youth well-being within detention settings. Read the full media statement now - https://bit.ly/4fWMJDg