- Ombudsman appointed as independent oversight for child-related organisations
- Ombudsman will improve transparency and accountability of organisations in complaints handling, reporting, and responding to allegations of child abuse, ensuring organisations put child safety first
- Announcement progresses WA's implementation of five key recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
- Cook Government committed to building safe and inclusive communities, so all Western Australians feel secure at home, at work and in the community
The Western Australian Government has today announced that the Ombudsman Western Australia will be the independent oversight body for organisations who engage in child-related work.
The Ombudsman will now commence work to implement an oversight scheme in WA, build organisational capability, monitor, and enforce compliance with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
When implemented, the new scheme will strengthen oversight mechanisms, enhance child safe environments in organisations, and improve complaints handling, reporting, and responses to child abuse allegations in WA.
The Ombudsman has expertise, functions, and powers related to child safeguarding, including the administration of the Reportable Conduct Scheme, a complementary scheme which commenced in 2023.
As stated by Child Protection Minister Jessica Stojkovski:
"The WA Government is committed to creating a safer WA for children and young people.
"Establishing the oversight scheme will support the WA Government's commitment to deliver strong child safety policy reforms and increase the safety, protection, and wellbeing of children and young people in WA."
