Alison has repeatedly called for the establishment of a child-friendly advocacy service where children can go with concerns about their care – and for individual support.
There is currently no over-arching body to provide independent child advocacy services, a child-friendly complaints system or independent oversight to prevent child abuse in institutional settings. The Commissioner for Children and Young People provides systemic advocacy, but does not have the statutory authority to address complaints from individuals.
Alison and the Greens believe an independent child advocacy service for Western Australia is needed now more than ever, particularly as the number of children in out of home care has increased 82% since 2007.
