About us

Our vision

That all children and young people are heard, are healthy and safe, reach their potential and are welcomed as valued members of the community and in doing so we build a brighter future for the whole community.

Our values

Respect, honesty, inclusivity, creativity, positivity, determination, independence and integrity.

What we do

The Commissioner’s work is underpinned by the Commissioner for Children and Young People Act 2006 (the Act). The Act outlines the guiding principles, powers and functions of the office. In accordance with statutory obligations, the Commissioner:

• advocates for children and young people
• promotes the participation of children and young people in decision making that affects their lives
• promotes and monitors the wellbeing of children and young people in the community
• monitors the way in which government agencies investigate or otherwise deal with complaints from children and young people
• monitors trends in complaints made by children and young people to government agencies
• initiates and conducts inquiries into any matter affecting the wellbeing of children and young people
• monitors, reviews and makes recommendations on laws, policies, programs and services affecting the wellbeing of children and young people
• promotes public awareness and understanding of matters relating to the wellbeing of children and young people
• conducts, coordinates and sponsors research into matters relating to the wellbeing of children and young people
• consults with children and young people from a broad range of socio-economic backgrounds and age groups throughout Western Australia each year.

The Act requires the Commissioner to give priority to, and have a special regard for, the interests and needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, and children and young people who are vulnerable or disadvantaged for any reason.

Under the Act, the Commissioner is not able to deal with complaints made by, or on behalf of, individuals; however, she may respond to issues that identify possible systemic matters that affect the wellbeing of children and young people more broadly.

The Commissioner is able to provide a young person or their advocate(s) with information about services and avenues for support.

Our guiding principles

As outlined in the Act:

• children and young people are entitled to live in a caring and nurturing environment, protected from harm and exploitation
• the contributions made by children and young people to the community should be recognised for their value and merit
• the views of children and young people on all matters affecting them should be given serious consideration and taken into account
• parents, guardians, families and communities have the primary role in safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of their children and young people and should be supported in
  carrying out this role.

Our approach

Our work has regard to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and is informed by the views and opinions of children and young people and the best available knowledge and evidence of what works well.

Jacqueline McGowan-Jones, Commissioner for Children and Young People

Jacqueline McGowan-Jones began her appointment as Commissioner for Children and Young People in January 2022.

Jacqueline is passionate about the future for our children and young people and believes the role of Commissioner comes with high expectations from our youth, helping them have a strong voice to advocate their views across government.

Consulting children and young people on issues that impact their lives, conducting research, and promoting awareness and understanding of the many matters that affect the wellbeing of children and young people is a key driver of her office.

Monitoring and advocating the interests and needs of Aboriginal children and young people and those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged, while having regard to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is a priority.

Jacqueline’s experience and heritage and Aboriginal cultural connections has given her a strong focus on the interests and needs of Aboriginal children and young people, as well those from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds.

She believes that all young people have a right to be heard and she strives to bring a new level of understanding and engagement to issues impacting our children and
young people.

Independence

The Commissioner is an independent statutory officer who reports directly to the Parliament of Western Australia. The Commissioner is able to table reports in the Parliament, conduct inquiries and require agencies to provide information on matters relating to the wellbeing of children and young people.

The Parliament has a Joint Standing Committee on the Commissioner for Children and Young People which regularly consults with the Commissioner, and monitors, reviews and reports to Parliament on the Commissioner’s exercise of her functions under the Act.

The previous Commissioner, Coin Pettit met once with the Committee in October 2021. Commissioner McGowan-Jones met with the Committee for the first time in February 2022.

More information about the Joint Standing Committee is available on the Parliament of Western Australia website. 

Our organisation

The office of the Commissioner for Children and Young People provides support for the Commissioner to advocate for all Western Australian children and young people though three key platforms.

1. Promoting the rights, voices and contributions of children and young people.
2. Monitoring and advocacy to strengthen the wellbeing of all WA children and young people.
3. Prioritising the needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people.

In providing these functions and services the organisation is divided into three main functions: policy and research, engagement and communication, and corporate services.

Policy and Research

This team monitors and reviews legislation, policies, programs and services affecting children and young people. They undertake research and consultation while also developing evidence-based resources to inform the continual development and evolution of legislation, policy and services.

Engagement and Communication

The Engagement and Communication team supports children and young people’s participation in the work in the work of the Commissioner by promoting the ways in which children and young people positively contribute to their communities.

Working across the agency they also assist in the development of information and resources to promote community awareness and understanding about the wellbeing of children and young people.

Corporate Services

Supporting organisational performance and ongoing business operations, the Corporate Services team ensure good governance, reporting and accountability.

Ambassadors for Children and Young People

The Commissioner’s Ambassador initiative recognises eminent people living in Western Australia who have a significant role in the community and a commitment to supporting children and young people and their families.

The Ambassadors work with the Commissioner to increase community awareness and understanding of factors that affect the wellbeing of children and young people and, where appropriate, provide input and guidance in the projects undertaken by the Commissioner and her staff.

Western Australia’s Ambassadors for Children and Young People are:

• Professor Donna Cross OAM
• Mrs Annie Fogarty AM
• Dr Robert Isaacs AM OAM JP PhD (Hon)
• Mrs Tonya McCusker AM
• Ms June Oscar AO
• Dr Donald Payne
• His Honour Judge Denis Reynolds
• Ms Linda Savage
• Hon. Barbara Scott OAM
• Dr Casta Tungaraza

Acknowledgements

In late 2021 Ambassadors Mr Russell Woolf and Mr Trevor Parry AM both sadly passed away.

Russell Woolf was always supportive of the work of the Commissioner for Children and Young People. Through his role in the media Russell worked to ensure the inclusion of children and young people. He believed in the importance of ensuring children and young people are given a voice and are heard in the community.

Trevor Parry AM was a developmental paediatrician who dedicated more than 30 years to improving the health and wellbeing of Western Australian children. His establishment of the State Child Development Centre in the mid-1970s had an enormous influence on the approaches taken to diagnosing and treating developmental issues in children. He was committed to educating community groups about the importance of early childhood development and enhancing the skills and confidence of families to give their children the best start in life.

Congratulations

In June 2022, Ambassador Professor Donna Cross OAM received an Order of Australia for her service to youth mental health and wellbeing. The Commissioner congratulates Professor Cross OAM on her achievement.

Thank you

We would also like to acknowledge Ms Dawn Wallam, Mr David Wirrpanda and Mr Ricky Grace AM who down stepped from their roles as Ambassadors. The Commissioner recognises their contribution to the office and the children and young people of Western Australia.

Performance Management Framework

The Commissioner for Children and Young People’s Performance Management Framework is consistent with the State Government goal of Strong Communities: Safe communities and supported families.

Desired outcome for the Commissioner for Children and Young People

The views and issues of children and young people are heard and acted upon.

Key effectiveness indicators: 

• extent to which children and young people in various regions of the state are consulted
• extent to which issues affecting children and young people are researched, advocated for and promoted.

Service undertaken by the Commissioner for Children and Young People

Consultation, research and promotion of the wellbeing of children and young people.

Key efficiency indicators:

• unit cost per child
• unit cost per representation.

Planning

The Commissioner’s Strategic Directions 2021–2026 outlines the broad focus areas of the Commissioner for Children and Young People and aims to inform and engage the community in the work of the Commissioner. The Commissioner’s annual work plan supports the strategic plan.

The work of the office for this reporting period is outlined under the strategic plan’s three key platforms:

1. Promoting the rights, voices and contributions of children and young people.
2. Monitoring and advocacy to strengthen the wellbeing of all WA children and young people.
3. Prioritising the needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people.