Our work with young people

 

Our role
How the community sector can help
How public authorities can help
Resources

Our role

The Ombudsman is an independent officer of the Western Australian Parliament. One of the Ombudsman’s principal functions is to receive, investigate and resolve complaints about public authorities (including State Government departments, statutory authorities and boards, local governments and universities).

The Ombudsman provides a free, independent and impartial service to assist members of the public to resolve their complaints. For more information, see the About us and How to make a complaint sections of our website.

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How the community sector can help

The Ombudsman recognises the vital role that the community sector plays in the lives of vulnerable people, including children and young people.

If your organisation provides support, care, information or other services to children and young people:

  • Be aware of the Ombudsman’s role in handling complaints about government administration.
  • The Ombudsman can be a first point of contact for complaints and concerns affecting children and young people – if we aren’t able to help, there is a good chance we know who can.
  • You may contact us on behalf of a child or young person about complaints or concerns (with their consent).
  • You may refer children and young people to us.

You can contact us for more information about what we do, or ask us to meet with you to talk about our role.

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How public authorities can help

State Government department and agencies, local governments and universities provide services to children and young people and their families. As such, issues may arise resulting in a child or young person complaining to the agency, or complaining about the agency to the Ombudsman.

Agencies should consider that often, for a child or young person, making a complaint is a big deal. Agencies should be mindful of the needs of children and young people when they make a complaint, and during the complaints process.

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Resources

Making your complaint handling system accessible guidelines

Are you listening? – Complaints guidelines published by the Commissioner for Children and Young People

Australian Standard AS/NZS 10002:2014 Guidelines for complaint management in organizations

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