Commissioner for Children and Young People WA

Our latest Speaking Out Survey 2025 snapshot looks at young carers.

When asked, “Do you help take care of anyone at home?”, 7,140 students answered yes. Many said they cared for a sibling or parent, often helping with things like preparing meals, shopping, entertaining family members or providing emotional support.

Only 804 students said they considered themselves a young carer, while 2,275 were unsure.

This shows how important it is to recognise the caring roles some children and young people take on, and to make sure they have the support they need for their own wellbeing.

Read the snapshot through the link in comments.

Children and young people have the right to play, and their views can help shape better play opportunities across Western Australia.
Play Matters Collective and the Commissioner for Children and Young People are gathering input to support the development of the WA Play Strategy.
As part of the consultation, we are inviting children and young people to share how they experience play in their daily lives.
There are two surveys available:
Early childhood and primary school children aged 3 to 12 years:
bit.ly/4vfymBj
High school students aged 13 to 18 years:
bit.ly/4uwAnJ5

Schools are encouraged to share the surveys so a broad range of voices from across WA can be heard.

This National Reconciliation Week, we are All In.
The 2026 theme is a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation, not just during this week, but every day.
Reconciliation is not a spectator sport. It asks each of us to step away from the sidelines, listen deeply, act with respect and help create change.
We remain committed to listening to Aboriginal children and young people, respecting their voices and working alongside families and communities towards systems that support their social, cultural, emotional and physical wellbeing.

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National Reconciliation Week 2026 reminds us that reconciliation requires all of us.
This year’s theme, All In, is a call to move beyond passive support and take meaningful action every day.
Reconciliation cannot rest only on the shoulders of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who have carried the work of advocating, educating and leading change for far too long.
We remain committed to listening to Aboriginal children and young people, respecting their voices and working alongside families and communities to support their social, cultural, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Today is National Sorry Day.
We acknowledge the Stolen Generations, their families and communities, and recognise the strength and resilience of Aboriginal people across Western Australia.
This is a day for truth-telling, reflection and respect. It is also a reminder that the impacts of past policies continue to affect children, young people and families today.
We all have a responsibility to listen, learn and work towards a future where Aboriginal children and young people are safe, heard, strong, and connected to culture.

We are sharing this story from Youth Jam to help raise awareness during Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month.
Hannah’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact that understanding, acceptance and the right support can have in a young person’s life.
Tourette Syndrome is often misunderstood. For many children and young people, stigma, bullying and judgement can make life much harder than it needs to be.
This month is an opportunity to listen, learn and help build communities where young people with disability, neurodivergence and mental health challenges feel safe, included and supported.
Thank you to Youth Jam for sharing Hannah’s story.
Support is available:
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

CW: Mental health; su***de

An Aussie teenager has used her journey with Tourette Syndrome to help others, launching a program to help people with mental health conditions and disabilities.

Hannah Tidmarsh was diagnosed with Tourette's at the age of 12, she told Youth Jam's Isaac Mulcrone the diagnosis "devastated" her.

"It just devastated me, as I'm different from everybody. Why the heck have I got this thing now? How am I gonna deal with this? How am I gonna go into public without feeling insecurity because all I do is get looks when I make noises, when I grunt, when I snort, when I do any of my tics," she told Tourette's Talk listeners.

The 17-year-old experienced bullying at school which led to a deterioration in her mental health.

"I didn't feel normal, I felt really insecure, it made me want to go put a kn*fe to my throat. It made me have really bad mental health," she said.

The Queenslander said she "didn't feel normal".

Tidmarsh said when she was 16 she realised being around horses decreased her tics considerably.

"They (horses) understand me and they don't judge me. They do not give me looks. You are who you are. If you do that then you do that. They give that body language towards you. Some days I'd rather horses over people," she said.

Her first horse, named 'Victory is Mine', made her feel so calm.

"Where the heck did my tics go? Why am I so calm" she asked while riding him.

Hannah's journey has inspired her to start Hannah's Equine Assist, which helps people with mental health conditions and disabilities.

"It helps people with anxiety, mental health, confidence and emotional regulation," she said.

Her mantra is if the therapy helps her, then it can assist others too.

"If this helps me through it then I can help other people through it with myself and my horses," she told Mulcrone.

Hear more by clicking the link in our comment section.

Lifeline: 13 11 14
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

Reconciliation in education begins with listening.
I was pleased to join Reconciliation WA’s Education Reconciliation Industry Networking Group (RING), which brought together leaders from across early childhood, school and adult education to discuss reconciliation and best practice across the education system.
I spoke about the importance of listening to children and young people, particularly Aboriginal children and young people, and recognising the vital role of Aboriginal parents, families and communities.
Education works best when children, young people, parents and families are part of shaping it.
I also joined a panel discussion with Aboriginal youth representatives and an Aboriginal parent and family representative to explore how we can work together to build strong, respectful relationships and create education systems where every child and young person is heard, valued and supported.

Hope from our office attended the launch of Young Voices for Change today at Midland Gate Shopping Centre.

Run by No Place for Poverty , this free community exhibition shares real postcards written by children about poverty in Western Australia.

Their words are honest, thoughtful and powerful, and remind us why children’s voices need to be seen, heard and taken seriously.

The exhibition is open daily until 15 June 2026.

If you are nearby, we encourage you to visit, read the postcards and show your support for children and young people speaking up about the future they want to see.

Link in the comments for more info

Are you a neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ young person aged 18 to 25, or do you know someone who would be a great fit?

The Youth Disability Advocacy Network - YDAN is looking for 12 young people in WA to join its free Community Leadership Program.

The program will help young people build leadership, advocacy, teamwork and communication skills, while connecting with peers and disability leaders.

Workshops will be held face-to-face in Nedlands from May to December 2026.

Applications close Sunday 24 May at 11:59pm.

Apply via link in comments or share this opportunity using the details in YDAN’s post below.

Yesterday I spoke at the 2026 AHCWA Youth Conference about what Aboriginal children and young people need to grow up happy, strong and healthy.
My message was clear: we need to listen to young people and take what they say seriously.
Young people tell me they need better access to mental health support, stronger connections to culture and community, and services that are culturally safe and available before crisis point.
I am committed to making sure their voices are heard by government, services and the wider community.
Thank you to the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia - AHCWA for hosting such an important conversation.