Significant issues impacting the agency

COVID-19 pandemic

The Commissioner and his team will continue to evaluate any risks in line with current WA Government and health authority recommendations concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. The office has adjusted the 2020–21 Work Plan as the team contributes to the WA Government’s response to the pandemic and has adapted to working with WA children and young people and stakeholders using online platforms if and when required. All staff were provided with suitable equipment to work from home to ensure there was no decline in productivity during the ‘working from home’ period. The Commissioner has implemented all the controls suggested by the Department of Health.

Speaking Out Survey

Planning is underway for the 2021 Speaking Out Survey, which will provide comparative data to the first Speaking Out Survey in 2019. The Commissioner aims to establish the Speaking Out Survey as an ongoing project to track children and young people’s wellbeing over time.

Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

Monitoring and supporting the implementation of the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse remains a focus of the office. The Commissioner will continue to promote the use of child safe policies and practices to WA organisations through the Child Safe Organisations WA project and support agencies to implement appropriate responses to harmful sexual behaviours in children and young people.

Wellbeing Monitoring Framework

The Commissioner will continue to investigate and report on key aspects of WA children and young people’s wellbeing based on outcomes described in the Wellbeing Monitoring Framework.