About us

Commissioner for Children and Young People

Dr Jacqueline McGowan-Jones began as Commissioner for Children and Young People in January 2022 and her term will cease at the end of 2026.

Jacqueline is a proud Arrente-Warumunga Aboriginal woman. She brings extensive senior executive and leadership experience across government, non-government agencies and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

As Commissioner, she has a statutory responsibility to monitor, protect and advocate for the rights and wellbeing of all Western Australian children and young people. Jacqueline is a strong advocate for children's voices and is deeply committed to ensuring that young people are heard and meaningfully engaged in decisions that affect their lives.

• Commissioner
  • Director
    • Manager Media Engagement & Communication
      • Senior Engagement & Policy Officer
        • Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator
          • Engagement & Communication Officer
    • Manager Policy
      • Senior Policy Officers (x3)
        • Policy Officer
    • Senior Research, Evaluation & Project Officer
      • Project Officer
        • Solid Futures Trainee
    • Senior Research & Data Policy Officer
    • Executive Manager
      • Executive Assistant
        • Corporate Support Officer
          • School-Based Trainee

The Office of the Commissioner for Children and Young People

The Office of the Commissioner for Children and Young People supports the Commissioner in advocating for all Western Australian children and young people.

The Office is divided into four main teams: Policy; Research and Evaluation; Media, Engagement and Communication; and Executive Support.

Policy

The Policy team delivers high-level policy analysis and advice on strategic issues and emerging trends affecting children and young people. The team informs, monitors and reviews legislation, policies, programs and services to support the Commissioner's advocacy priorities. It prepares discussion papers, advocacy and policy position papers, and lead the development of submissions.

Research and Evaluation

The Research and Evaluation team conducts research and consultation and develops evidence based resources to support the ongoing improvement of legislation, policy and services. The team leads major surveys and conducts robust data analysis to produce high-quality reports that amplify the voices of children and young people. In 2025-26, a key focus of the team's work was the planning and delivery of the Speaking Out Survey. The team contributes to advocacy platforms and priorities for the Commissioner.

Media, Engagement and Communication

The Media, Engagement and Communication team supports the participation of children and young people in the Commissioner's work by promoting their contributions to their communities. Working collaboratively across the agency, the team develops information and resources to build community awareness and understanding of children and young people's wellbeing. The team manages media, web and social media engagement and leads the coordination of events and sponsorships that highlight young people's views and achievements across Western Australia.

Executive Support

The Executive Support team provides high-level administrative, strategic and operational support to enable the effective delivery of the Commissioner's mandate. The team plays a critical role in ensuring compliance with regulatory and policy requirements, while fostering strong relationships across government, community organisations and young people to support advocacy, research and initiatives that promote the wellbeing and rights of children and young people.

Performance Management Framework

The Commissioner for Children and Young People's Performance Management Framework is consistent with the state government goal of Safe, Strong and Fair Communities: Supporting our local and regional communities to thrive.

Desired outcome

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

Key effectiveness indicators:

• 1.1 Extent to which children and young people in various regions of the state are consulted.
• 1.2 Extent to which issues impacting children and young people are researched, advocated and promoted.

Service

Consultation, research and advocacy for the wellbeing of children and young people.

Key efficiency indicators:

• 2.1 Unit cost per child.
• 2.2 Unit cost per representation.

Summary of Key Performance Indicators

A full breakdown of the Key Performance Indicators data appear here.

Strategic Plan 2024-27

The Commissioner's Strategic Plan 2024-27 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 work of the Office of the Commissioner for Children and Young People for this reporting period aligns to the strategic plan and its five strategic pillars:

1. Engage with children and young people to hear their voice

• Quality engagement with children and young people.
• Listen to children and young people from across all Western Australia.
• Children and young people to define their requirements for engagement into the future.
• Provide opportunities for children and young people to share their experiences to inform policy and resource development.

2. Enhance the Commissioner for Children and Young People's profile and reputation to improve our reach and impact

• Best practice data to inform the sector.
• Commissioner's presence across the sector to influence change.
• Collaboration and engagement with key research partners.
• Be seen as an employer of choice.

3. Powerfully share the voice of children and young people to influence change

• Stakeholder influence on critical organisations that affect children and young people.
• Sharing the voices of children and young people.
• Media focus on key issues impacting children and young people.
• Maintain a focus on Aboriginal, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people.

4. Strengthen the organisation and achieve corporate best practice

• Best practice corporate governance.
• Organisational culture that builds engagement.
• Excellence in fiscal management.
• Organisational accountability and professional business leadership.

5. Build relationships and strategically influence key stakeholders to drive change for children and young people

• Strategic national and state portfolio engagement on issues impacting children and young people.
• Leadership in the Safe and Supported: National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children.
• Membership of the Australian and New Zealand Children's Commissioners, Guardians and Advocates (ANZCCGA).
• Influence positive change in the policies programs and services impacting children and young people.