Frequently Asked Qurestions

>> What is a Children and Young People's Commission?
>> What will a Commission do?
>> Who will the Commission help?
>> Won’t the Commission just be another part of government?
>> Why do we need a CYPC?
>> What about other complaint bodies like the Equal Opportunity Commission of Victoria and the Victorian Ombudsman?
>> How will children and young people be involved?
>> Are there other examples of Commisions?
>> What now?

What is a Children and Young People's Commission?
There are many Children and Young People's Commissions (CYPC) all over Australia and around the world. They are set up, usually by parliament, to advocate for the rights, interests and well being of children and young people.

Commissions are headed by Commissioners. They are responsible for representing the Commission, promoting the rights of children and young people and advocating on their behalf.

What will a Commission do?
A Victorian Children and Young People's Commission will provide a champion for children and young people.

The Commission will research and investigate issues affecting children and young people and come up with recommendations to deal with these problems.

The Commission will look at issues broadly, not just case by case. For example, if the Commission became aware of young people being ripped-off by mobile phone contracts the Commission would begin an inquiry into this issue. This will make things easier for all children and young people facing the same problem.

The Commission will act as a central point for children, young people and their families who want to make individual complaints. It will provide expert advice and help to people by referring them to the best complaint-handling body. If needed, it will support children, young people and their families to use the complaint process.

The Commission will be a storehouse of information for the community. For example, users would include parents, policy makers, teachers and students as well as children and young people.

The Commission will also work with and support groups of children and young people who are particularly vulnerable and disadvantaged, for example homeless young people.

Who will the Commission help?
Children and young people up to the age of 18 years, their families and those that work with them.

Won’t the Commission just be another part of government?
No. The Commission will be independent of government. It will have legal powers to allow it to carry out its job. The Commission will be set-up by a law.

A Children's Commission is NOT...

Why do we need a CYPC?
To advance the rights of children and young people. A great deal of money and programmes are aimed at protecting and nurturing children and young people but their rights are not promoted consistently.

A Commission would enhance Victoria’s commitment to protecting and promoting the rights, well-being and interests of children and young people.

What about other complaint bodies like the Equal Opportunity Commission of Victoria
and the Victorian Ombudsman?
The Commission would work closely with other complaint-handling bodies. The CYPC would refer individual complaints to the best place. The Commission could then begin research and make inquiries about the main issues raised in the complaints.

How will children and young people be involved?
Through direct contact with the Commission such as emails, letters and the telephone. Children and young people will also be asked what they think by the Commission on a regular basis. A Young People’s Reference Group could be set-up to make sure that children and young people are directly involved with all of the Commission’s work.

Are there other examples of Commisions?
NSW Commission for Children and Young People
>> http://www.kids.nsw.gov.au

QLD Commission for Children and Young People
>> http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/

Tasmania Commissioner for Children
>> http://www.childcomm.tas.gov.au/cms/enquiriesconcerns/

New Zealand - The Office of the Commissioner for Children
>> http://www.occ.org.nz/aboutus/

What now?
At last there is a concrete model for Victoria to look at and to discuss. A community based coalition has been formed to promote this model and continue talking about a Victorian Children and Young People’s Commission. This will ensure the community, government and parliament know how important the establishment of a Commission is.