The Commissioner for Children and Young People, Colin Pettit has released a report on children and young people talking about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected them.
Mr Pettit revealed that more than 800 children and young people had written to him between March and June to tell him what they were seeing in their community, what they were feeling and what support was helping them.
“While I am mindful that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over, this report captures the impacts and feelings of children during the first half of 2020,” Mr Pettit said.
“Children and young people are well aware of the world around them and absorb information and emotion from media reports, conversations with family and friends and their interactions within the community.
He said the feedback he received was insightful and mainly centred on mental health, changes to their education, connection to friends and family, access to recreation activities, concerns for family material basics and the possible future impacts on their lives.
“The responses came from children as young as five across metropolitan and regional areas, including remote communities and young people in contact with the justice system.” Mr Pettit said.
“These views and experiences have helped to inform several resource s for parents, carers and organisations on supporting children and young people and also provide the voice of children for decision-makers to consider in planning WA’s recovery phase.”
In February the Commissioner released the findings from the first Speaking Out Survey, with almost 5,000 children and young people from across the State providing their views on wellbeing.
He said the Speaking Out Survey would be conducted again next year and given the timing, will provide a comparison of how WA children and young people’s wellbeing has fared over this historic period.
“This comparative data will be important in monitoring for the longer term and ensuring that Governments, communities and families can address impacts for children, young people and their families,” Mr Pettit said.
