Are you a child or young person with something to say?

At Child Wise we believe that children and young people are experts in their own lives and only you know what it’s like to be a child or young person today.

We truly believe that nothing that is about you, should be done without you!

Know that you have a right to feel and be safe wherever you are.

Get involved

We work to create opportunities for your voice to be heard and we are here to listen. If you are interested in participating in activities that bring young people together and sharing your thoughts and opinions with us (either in a group or individually), please send us an email at info@childwise.org.au and let us know.

We would also love to hear your ideas about some of the ways we can encourage young people to participate and share their views.

What are we currently doing

Child Wise Youth Advisory Board

Child Wise are excited to announce that we have recruited a Youth Advisory Board. Our Youth Advisory Board are a diverse range of young people from all backgrounds who are working as a team to help Child Wise continuously improve its work, to make sure children and young people across Australia and the world are safe. 

What else can I do?

Organisations where children and young people spend their time e.g. schools, sporting clubs, counselling services, etc. have an obligation to keep you safe, make you feel welcome and respected. If you feel like some of these things are missing, let the organisation know that you’d like to see:

• A process to make it easy for children and young people to make a complaint and give feedback
• Ways to be involved in decisions that affect you
• More information about the rights of children and young people in the organisation
• A document that shows children and young people what behaviour they can expect from the adults around them
• An easy-to-read child safety and wellbeing policy
• Ways for all children and young people to be included

How do I make a complaint?

You have a right to make a complaint if you are unhappy about the way you are being treated at your workplace, school, after school activity, or anywhere else where you live, work and play. All of these places should provide you with ways to make a complaint or raise a concern if you have any.

Here are our top 5 tips for making a complaint:

• Get support – ask a friend, parent or trusted adult to help you with your complaint
• Find out what the process is – email, phone call, speak to someone directly
• Plan what you want to say and keep notes
• Try and stay calm when explaining your concerns and ask what will happen next. Three deep breaths before you start is a great way to calm your nerves.
• Follow up to see what is happening

If you haven’t been able to make a complaint or if you think your complaint was not taken seriously, you can contact:

• FairWork if your complaint is about your workplace.
• The Ombudsman in each state and territory if your complaint is about government service delivery. Click on the links below for more information about how to make a complaint and what you can complain about to the Ombudsman in your state or territory:

• The Children’s Commissioners and Guardians in your state or territory if your complaint is about child protection and education. Click on the links below for more information depending on where you live: