Overview

Keeping children safe is everyone’s job. 

In 2017 there was a Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. It found that many children who spoke up about abuse were not believed or nothing was done. The Commission recommended strong, independent oversight to stop this happening. This would make sure organisations are safe for children. Organisations should respond properly when concerns about child safety are raised.

In October 2025, the WA government announced that we would become WA’s independent oversight body. We are now developing the Independent Oversight of Child Safe Organisations Scheme. This scheme is based on the Child Safe Standards for Child Safe Organisations. The Child Safe Standards were recommended by the Royal Commission. All governments in Australia agreed to call these the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.

What are the National Principles?

These National Principles provide a way to ensure children are safe, heard and respected. This applies to organisations across Australia that work with children. The National Principles are being adopted into law across Australia. Some states have already changed their laws to improve child safety.

Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme

We play a key role in strengthening child safety across Western Australia. We have three connected services:

• The Reportable Conduct Scheme
• Child Death Reviews
• Independent Oversight of the Child Safe Standards. 

Each responsibility is different. Together they will help create a safer system for children.

As our role grows, it will become clearer how the services work together.

Our role in leading Child Safe Standards

We are leading the work to get independent oversight of child safe standards set up in WA. We will be working with government, community organisations, and peak bodies. We will be working with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs). Our work will help strengthen capability and accountability in organisations. The new independent oversight will build on the strong work already being done by agencies in WA to keep children safe.

Contact Us

Have a question? Email the Independent Oversight team at independentoversightproject@ombudsman.wa.gov.au.