Participation
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Contributions made by children and young people should be recognised for their value and merit and given due consideration in decision making.
All agencies whose work affects children and young people are encouraged to involve them in decision making.
The Commissioner provides information for agencies that are planning to involve children and young people in their work and decision making.
'Speaking Out' reports
The Commissioner is committed to consulting children and young people on their views about a range of matters that affect their wellbeing. To access the Commissioner's Speaking Out' reports that describe what children and young people have to say, enter Speaking Out in the search bar in the top right-hand corner of the website.
Reports
ACCG Joint Participation Paper 2018
This report reflects the consistent themes from a sampling of consultations undertaken by Australian Children's Commissioners and Guardians with approximately 15,000 children and young people across Australia between late 2015 and early 2018.
School and learning consultation - Technical report
Speaking out about school and learning - The views of WA children and young people on factors that support their engagement in school and learning
Speaking out about school and learning - Summary report
Involving children and young people overview and checklist
Issues Papers
Participation
Policy Briefs
Children and young people speak out about being acknowledged and involved in decisions
Developed from the Commissioner's 2011 Wellbeing research project
Submissions
Submission to the National Contributing Life Project, May 2013
A National Contributing Life Methodology
Submission to the Department of Commerce, August 2009
Independent Review of the Western Australian Industrial Relations System
Submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Training, January 2009
Inquiry 'combining school and work: supporting successful youth transitions'
Submission to the Attorney General's Department, July 2008
Australian Government's Draft Fourth Report under the Convention on the Rights of the Child
More Information
Participation toolkit for children under 12 years of age
Commissioner for Children Tasmania
Events
Children’s Environment and Health Local Government Report Card Awards
Since 2015, the Commissioner has sponsored the Children’s Consultation Award. Involving children and young people in discussions on issues supports them to make informed decisions about their own lives and ensures strategies meet their needs. This category looks for innovative strategies LG’s are implementing to give young people a voice. Read more about the Local Governments Report Card Awards.
Commissioner's Participate Award - WA Youth Awards
The Commissioner for Children and Young People Participate Award recognises a young person aged 12 to 17 years who has shown outstanding dedication to make a positive change in their community, and who has inspired other young people to get involved.
Involving children with disability seminar 2013
The Involving children with disability seminar was held on 28 November 2013 to support organisations’ meaningful inclusion of children and young people with disability in their work and decision making.
Participation Guidelines - examples
As citizens, children and young people should be involved in decision making that affects their lives. Government and non-government organisations have an important role to play in ensuring children and young people’s views are heard and reflected in their policies, programs and services.
The Commissioner has developed guidelines to assist organisations to involve children and young in ways which benefit both the organisation and children and young people.
The guidelines include examples of the great work occurring around Western Australia. Further projects are detailed on the participation examples page.
