Working together to make real change for young Tasmanians

A cartoon illustration of Isabelle (Issy) Crompton's face.

👋🏻 Hi! I’m Issy Crompton, Tasmania’s Interim Commissioner for Children and Young People! 

Together with my team, Maja and Erin, I’m setting up a new Council of young people aged 12-17 from across Tasmania. 

The Tasmanian Government is making an action plan to keep children and young people safer in organisations and in their communities. A key part of this work is about how the Government prevents and responds to child sexual abuse. 

The Government wants to know what children and young people think should be included in the plan. It’s part of our job to make sure your views and ideas are taken seriously.  

We want to work together with you to make sure the Government knows what you think and includes your ideas about making children and young people safer. 

There will also be opportunities to have a say on other issues that affect children and young people in Tasmania, for example, the implementation of the new Commission for Children and Young People.

Being involved in this project

  • If you’re a young person aged 12-17, we’d like to hear from you!
  • Choosing to take part in this project is optional.

If you’d like to be involved

  • Fill in the online Expression of Interest form below, or
    Download a copy of the Expression of Interest form (below) and email it to childcomm@childcomm.tas.gov.au.

Expressions of Interest close at 5pm, Friday 21 November

What happens then?

Every application will be read carefully and then a small group that brings a range of views, backgrounds and experiences will be chosen. Because this will be a small group, it’s possible that not everyone who sends an EOI will be involved, but there’ll be more chances to get involved later, or in other ways. Everyone who applies will hear back from my team.

Thanks for reading this and thinking about being involved in my new group of young people!

Issy!

📝 Expression of Interest form

What's your name?(Required)
Have you ever lived in Out of Home Care?(Required)
How do you want to be contacted?(Required)
Personal information(Required)
YEP! (Optional)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
A decorative strip of stick figure people.

What will I do if I join? 

  • Be part of real conversations about what needs to change and how 
  • Help choose a group name 
  • Decide how the group will work together 
  • Share your ideas, feedback, and views in group sessions, workshops, or meetings (in person or online) 
  • Meet with decision makers 
  • Take part in creative activities and discussions 
  • There will be opportunities to have a say on other projects or issues that matter to children and young people. These will always be optional and agreed with members. 
  • As well as the serious conversations, we want this to be an energising and enjoyable space. There’ll be chances to work on creative projects, plan group activities, and connect with inspiring people doing work that matters. You’ll help decide what these look like, so the experience reflects what matters most to you. 

How much time will it take?

We expect this work will take around 20 hours over the next 12 months. We will figure out what that looks like with members in their first meeting. We will be flexible, so if you would like to do more, or less, that’s okay, too! You can participate in person, online, or both—whatever works for you! 

How will my time and expertise be recognised? 

Your time and expertise will be recognised to the value of $35 per hour. 

We will reimburse any reasonable out-of-pocket costs associated with your participation. 

You will gain experience and understanding about a range of issues that affect children and young people in Tasmania. You will also develop skills and knowledge about the rights of children and young people, advocacy, and how government works.  

What about safety and support? 

Your safety and wellbeing is our priority. We are working with experts to design this project. Supports will be available for everyone during the project at no cost. 

What are the benefits of being involved?

  • Have a say in how Government responds to making Tasmanian children and young people safer 
  • Be part of making positive change for children and young people  
  • Gain experience in leadership, collaboration, and advocacy 
  • Be reimbursed for your time. 

Are there any risks in being involved? 

Thinking and talking about the changes that are needed to keep children and young people safe can sometimes be tricky.  

You will not be asked about any of your personal experiences, or the personal experiences of anyone else. You can choose what, if anything, you want to share.  

You can take a break or leave the group at any time. That won’t affect your relationship with me or my team, and you’ll still be reimbursed for your involvement.

And what about privacy and confidentiality?

  • We will work with you to agree on group rules about privacy 
  • We will not use your real name in anything we publish unless you would like us to. 

Here’s how you can contact us about this project:

Email: childcomm@childcomm.tas.gov.au   
Call: (03) 6166 1366   
Visit: 1/119 Macquarie Street, Hobart , 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

If you or your parent/carer/guardian have questions or concerns about the project, give our office a call on (03) 6166 1366 or send an email to childcomm@childcomm.tas.gov.au.