Back“It’s OK to complain. We’re here to help” is the message of Western Australian Ombudsman, Chris Field, to children and young people. The Ombudsman has over the last 12 months been significantly enhancing systems to improve access to the office for children and young people.
In November 2015, the Ombudsman’s office conducted a youth focus group to listen directly to young people and their representatives, in collaboration with the office of the Commissioner for Children and Young People. The focus group provided an opportunity for young people to be heard on ways the Ombudsman can enhance awareness and accessibility for children and young people.
Following from this youth focus group, and a range of other consultation, the office has developed a new, dedicated youth space on the Ombudsman Western Australia website with information about the office specifically tailored for children and young people, as well as information for non-government organisations and government agencies that assist children and young people, and a suite of promotional materials targeted at, and tailored for, children and young people.
This year, the office has commenced a major new visiting program to vulnerable groups of children and young people in the child protection system. This included visits to:
- The Kath French Secure Care Centre in February 2016;
- Two residential group homes in the Perth metropolitan area in May 2016;
- Two residential group homes and one family group home in the Pilbara region in June 2016; and
- One residential group home in the Kimberley region in June 2016.
The Ombudsman has also increased regular visits to the Banksia Hill Detention Centre and engagement with the community sector in the metropolitan area and regional Western Australia under the Ombudsman’s Regional Awareness and Accessibility Program.
The children and young people section of the Ombudsman’s website can be found here.
Source: Ombudsman Western Australia - AUSTRALIA
