The 2020–2021 Annual Report of the Commissioner for Children and Young People was tabled today in the Tasmanian Parliament.
The Commissioner for Children and Young People, Leanne McLean, said the report includes details of her wellbeing consultations with Tasmanian children and young people, which contributed to the development of the Government’s first whole-of-government child and youth wellbeing strategy.
“Encouraging decision makers to listen to children and young people and get them involved in decision making processes that affect their lives is a big part of my role as Tasmanian’s Commissioner for Children and Young People,” Ms McLean said.
“I was therefore delighted to see an increase in the number of agencies and organisations wanting to engage with children and young people and seek their views on some of the big issues that impact upon their lives.
“It was particularly pleasing to see the Tasmanian Government actively incorporate a mechanism for seeking the views of children and young people into the community consultation process. I was humbled that so many children and young people agreed to share their views and personal experiences with me during the CCYP wellbeing consultations and in doing so helped guide the development of this important strategy.”
Ms McLean also noted that the CCYP Ambassadors, who were some of the young people who contributed to the CCYP wellbeing consultations, also helped showcase young Tasmanians’ views on three key aspects of wellbeing (equity and diversity; the environment; and mental health) by co-developing Future Tasmania, an online multimedia magazine or zine.
“Their creative inputs captured the attention of decision makers and now provide a wealth of information for my advocacy and policy work in these important areas.
“During the reporting year, other aspects of young Tasmanians’ wellbeing also became the focus of much community and media debate as well as critical advocacy and reform work for myself and my team. Having previously raised issues regarding placement of young Tasmanians in out-of-home care, I was asked to chair an expert panel into improving system responses for Tasmanian children and young people with highly complex needs. I look forward to seeing the implementation of changes in response to the panel’s recommendations.
“I also commented on draft legislation and made submissions on a range of issues that have the potential to affect the lives of Tasmania’s children and young people, informed by the views of children and young people.
“My Annual Plan for 2021-22 (available on my website) sets out how I shall continue to represent the wellbeing, views and best interests of children and young people in Tasmania into the future.”
