Agency Performance - Engage with children and young people

Hearing the voices of children and young people from across the State, from various backgrounds, including those who are disadvantaged or vulnerable, is a priority for the Commissioner.

This is done through a coordinated approach including school and community visits, forums, workshops, surveys, reports, inquiries and consultations.

Engage with children and young people

Speaking Out Survey

The Speaking Out Survey (SOS) series stands as a cornerstone initiative in our pursuit of understanding and advocating for the needs of children and young people. The inaugural SOS in 2019 offered unprecedented insights into the views and experiences of our youth regarding health and wellbeing. A subsequent survey in 2021 shed light on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their overall wellbeing.

Work is now underway in planning and preparing for the upcoming Speaking Out Survey to be undertaken next financial year. This survey marks the third iteration in this groundbreaking series. With a larger and more robust sample size comprising up to 20,000 children and young people from diverse regions of Western Australia, SOS promises to provide a comprehensive perspective on the evolving health and wellbeing landscape over time.

The Speaking Out Survey is a critical project for the Commissioner’s office. It is one of the only representative wellbeing surveys of children and young people in Australia. It serves as a platform for children and young people in Years 4 to 12 across Western Australian schools to voice their experiences directly. Through their self-reported data, we gain unique insights into critical areas such as safety, mental health, education engagement, community connection, and access to support services. By conducting regular surveys, we aim to track progress, identify trends, and adapt our strategies to meet the evolving needs of our youth effectively.

Numerous reports were drafted as a direct result of data and trends identified in SOS in 2021. Trend analysis for the period 2019-2025 will be a key feature of the reports to be produced from the survey.

  The 'Speaking Out Survey 2021' Report can be viewed here.

Hear Me Out Report

Inquiry into Implementation Progress for Banksia Hill’s Model of Care Instruction

The State Government announced the Implementation of a new model of care for Banksia Hill Detention Centre (BHDC) in early 2023, one of the key components arising out of the Youth Justice Services Strategy 2022-27 to be facilitated over four years. 

Since commencing her term in office, the Commissioner has been very concerned about what was happening for children and young people in detention. There were several incidents from early 2022 that impacted the wellbeing of staff and detainees. In that same year Unit 18 at Casuarina adult male prison was gazetted as a juvenile detention centre under the Young Offenders Act 1994. As a result of significant damage to infrastructure at BHDC, several juveniles were placed in Unit 18 as a temporary measure. 

In early October 2023 in a meeting with Minister Papalia the Commissioner verbally advised that she intended to undertake an Inquiry under s19(f) of the Commissioner for Children and Young People Act 2006 by her office into the progress of implementation of the new model of care.

As a part of her advocacy for children and young people, the purpose of this Inquiry was to elevate their voices, to seek their views about difference to their day-to-day life on the inside and what future improvements could be made.

Shortly after this, sadly, in late October 2023, 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd died in hospital after self-harming (alleged suicide) in his cell at Unit 18. Western Australia recorded its first death in custody of a minor child. His family and community were left to grieve the loss of their child.

We spoke with 43 children and young people in BHDC and Unit 18 through face-to-face interviews in January and February 2024. Group presentations were made to Department
of Justice staff and external service providers. An online anonymous survey resulted in 40 staff and 20 service providers giving feedback and their views.

We took into consideration international and national best practice standards for juvenile detention, and as required by the Commissioner for Children and Young People Act 2006, regard was given to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Whilst the Model of Care Instruction for BHDC’s guiding principles and supporting standards are to be recognised, it is critical to consider these broader frameworks of standards and rights, including National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and the WA Young Offenders Act 1994.

As a result, the Commissioner’s office made 16 key findings and recommendations across several key domains that recognises and supports system wide reform, whilst accommodating the diverse and complex needs of children and young people across both BHDC and Unit 18. During the course of the Inquiry, the Commissioner’s office was informed that the new model of care did not extend to Unit 18.

The recommendations are designed to support the Department of Justice, and in particular the Corrective Services Division, to monitor, review and evaluate the progress of implementation. The Commissioner will review and monitor progress, with a request for formal tabling of sixmonthly progress reports to parliament against the findings and recommendations.

Although the narrow focus of this Inquiry has been on implementation progress of the new model of care in juvenile detention in WA, this doesn’t detract from the importance of the broader view of intervention and diversionary measures for children and young people from the criminal justice system. This will require support and commitment across government to ensure the implementation of a therapeutic model of care, quality through-care planning and delivering the necessary support and services for children and young people prior to entry into and release from juvenile detention. 

  The 'Hear Me Out' Report has now been published.

Leading the way

In addition to engaging with children and young people through school and community visits, surveys, forums and more, the Commissioner presents, not only to children, but also to those who work with and for children.

The Commissioner is often invited to present keynote addresses at major conferences for peak bodies, community service organisations and education groups, sharing the views of children and young people with those who can have the biggest impact on their wellbeing and development.

In 2023 the Commissioner was honoured to receive the WA Pre-eminent Educational Leader Award, presented by the Australian Council for Educational Leaders Western Australia branch.

ACEL (WA) presents the annual award to a Western Australian educator whose contribution to the study and practice of educational leadership is assessed as most outstanding at the State (and/or higher) level.

Youth engagement co-design

The CCYP contracted the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA) to establish a Youth Steering Group to co-design a youth engagement strategy to uplift and inform active engagement with young people across the State. The Commissioner was interested in exploring a variety of ways to engage children and young people in the office’s work and provided training to the young people on topics such as: how to conduct research; human-centred design; and advocacy.

• 170 Children and young people across WA submitted expressions of interest to join the Youth Steering Group
• 12 young people appointed, three regional and nine metropolitan 
• Nine aged 14-17, three aged 18 to 21
• Includes young people from diverse cultural, socio-economic backgrounds, life experiences, young people with disability, young carers, neurodiverse young people, young people who are LGBTQIA+SB.

The young people on the steering group were clear that young people want to be heard, and they want to participate in the decisions that affect them.

The Youth Steering Group (YSG) developed a wide range of suggestions for the Commissioner’s youth engagement model going forward. This model comprises of three main elements:
1. Principles
• youth-friendly
• youth-led
• have clear intentions, expectations and accountability
• value diversity and ensure accessibility.

2. Engagement and Participation Strategies
• Preferred broad engagement tools included surveys, anonymous suggestion boxes, presence at events, social and outdoor media, with targeted/smaller engagement tools included workshops, forums, project-specific lived experience advisory groups, interviews and peer research.

3. Communicating with children and young people
• Key communication strategies recommended for both broad and targeted engagement included having young staff, developing partnerships with organisations already trusted by young people and working with young people with lived experience
• The YSG wanted communication strategies to be tailored to their needs, be fun, engaging and reliable. They valued video and visual content, and getting to know the Commissioner’s office and team through social media and the website.

Peer research project
The Youth Steering Group (YSG) engaged in peer research to find out how the Commissioner can best talk to young people and make sure their voices and ideas lead her work. The YSG co-designed the survey, with nine YSG members participating in the peer research over three weeks, delivering a mixture of paper copy and online surveys. In total, they received 136 survey responses.

Listening Tour

Metropolitan

The Commissioner met with more than 660 children and young people in the Perth metropolitan region between July 2023 and July 2024. This included visits to primary schools, secondary schools, Curriculum and Re-engagement in Education (CARE) schools, vocational schools and non-government organisations.

Listening Tours provide an opportunity for the Commissioner to hear directly from children and young people on topics that are important to them, and for them to ask the Commissioner questions.

Schools visited in 2023-2024 included:
• The Y Vocational School
• Edmund Rice Centre
• Goollelal Primary School
• Communicare Academy
• Catholic Education WA Aboriginal Voices student boarders
• Lakeland Senior High School.

Key findings from the Perth metropolitan Listening Tour were that children and young people had a high level of concern about the environment, safety on public transport, mental health supports and the cost of living.

Due to the environment and climate change being identified as a topic of concern for children and young people at each visit during the Listening Tour, the Commissioner created an online survey named ‘Your Environment: Your Say’ which attracted responses from almost 1,000 children and young people in WA.

Regional

Key findings and insights from the ‘2021 Speaking Out Survey’ and Yule River On-Country meeting in 2023 identified that children and young people in the Pilbara rated some aspects of their safety, health and wellbeing, significantly lower than those in other regions.

In response, the Commissioner for Children and Young People liaised with the Department of Education, to arrange a Listening Tour in May 2024.

The Tour consisted of seven Student Forums over four days in the towns of Port Hedland, Karratha and Newman. It involved more than 180 young participants from 17 schools and colleges – together with 19 children who had completely disengaged from the education system.

These events focused on engaging interactive activities and students were encouraged to lead the conversation. Recurrent topics of concern were the need for:
• Adults needing to hear what young people have to say, particularly in relation to their mental health
• The need for adults to be proactive in asking children and young people how they are feeling as it was clear from discussions that children and young people often feel disempowered and unheard
• Increased entertainment and lifestyle opportunities
• Improved health care and safety services
• Expanded education programs including anti-bullying measures
• Increased support for disengaged and disadvantaged students
• Alternative class hours, more ATAR subjects, life skills and career options, and a university in the Pilbara.

Belonging Across Borders survey

The survey was created after the Commissioner attended a book launch about a book written entirely by young immigrants to Australia. This led to discussions on engaging with children and young people who had either immigrated to WA or have
parents who did. The survey was initially planned to be a smaller survey aimed at the African community but was expanded to explore children and young people’s experiences from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. 

This was considered especially important in Western Australia as we live in an incredibly diverse and multicultural population, with almost 15 per cent of the State’s young people born overseas, whilst many others are the first generation born in Australia. 

Children and young people were invited to share their experiences through the online survey, which was open between April 19, 2024, to June 4, 2024. Over 1000 young people accessed the survey, however, responses which had failed to complete any of the qualitative questions were deemed incomplete and removed, leaving 576 completed responses.

A report sharing the views and voices of children and young people regarding their experiences immigrating to and growing up in Australia will be released in late 2024. Some key issues raised by children and young people surrounded education, access to services, experiences of racism, and safety within the community, demonstrating that are key areas for action to improve support, sense of belonging, and care for this group of children and young people in WA.

 Click here to view.

Your Environment: Your Say survey

Children and young people throughout WA were invited to share their views on the environment through an online survey which opened in December 2023 and closed in February 2024. The survey attracted responses from almost 1,200 children and young people, with 981 eligible responses.

A report detailing the views and voices of children and young people about the environment will be released publicly this year. Common themes identified in the findings included pollution and littering, recycling and waste reduction, and renewable energy and sustainable practices. The findings underscore a strong desire among children and young people to actively participate in shaping environmental dialogue and action.

 Click here to view.

Youth Week WA

Youth Week WA (YWWA) 2024 was recognised from 5 to 12 April throughout the State. The Commissioner delivered three vastly different engagement opportunities for WA’s young people to have their voice heard in the lead up to and during YWWA.

Photography competition
The Commissioner opened the Youth Week Photography Competition at the beginning of March 2024 and closed early April 2024.

Entries were required to align with the YWWA theme of ‘Head, Body, Heart’ and encouraged young people to consider what the theme means to them and their mental and physical wellbeing. Sixty-five entries were submitted which showcased the high-quality photography skills of our young people in WA.

Winners and finalists were determined by a three-person panel which included the Commissioner, a former teacher and Commissioner for Children and Young People staff member and a 16-year-old young person with a passion for photography. Due to the number of impressive photographs submitted, the Commissioner chose to extend the People’s Choice Award which was initially planned to be one winner to instead recognise nine young people.

The winners and finalists were awarded gift vouchers valued between $25 for the People’s Choice Awards up to $200 for the overall winner of the competition.

Click here to view.

KickstART Market
KickstART Market was held at Forrest Place on Saturday 6 April 2024 as part of the celebrations for YWWA. The Commissioner and her team hosted a market stall at the event where young people were invited to speak with the Commissioner and learn more about her role. 

Discussions with young people about the benefits of fidget toys guided the choice of giveaway items at the Commissioner’s market stall, with fidget popper balls offered to young people who participated in a short online survey.

A highlight of the day was watching some very talented young people showcasing their juggling skills with the fidget popper balls.

Online survey
Coinciding with the YWWA theme of ‘Head, Body, Heart’, the Commissioner asked the young people of WA “What can you do today to take better care of your physical and mental health?”. One hundred and fifty six young people responded to the online prompt with some of the most frequently used words being ‘exercise’, ‘eat’ and ‘friends’.

This question was launched at the KickstART Market and then shared through the Commissioner’s social media platforms during the remainder of Youth Week WA. It will be used to inform ongoing work around the wellbeing of children and young people.