Have a say and be heard

You have the right to take part in decisions that have an impact on your life. Child Safety must support you to express your views, listen to you and take your views seriously.

Child Safety will help you to participate in decisions by:

• giving you the information you need, in a way that's easy for you to understand, to take part in decision-making
• getting you support to have your say, if you want this
• allowing you to choose how you want to take part in making decisions — for example, speaking for yourself, writing or recording your thoughts, having someone with you to help you say what you want to say, or having someone you trust explain for you
• listening to you, recording what you say and considering your views when decisions are made
• talking to you if your feelings about something you have said changes.

If you don’t want to have a say in a decision or can't take part in making a decision, your child safety officer will explore other ways to understand your thoughts about a decision, such as talking to a person who is close to you.

If you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, you have a right to identify an independent person to help make sure your voice is heard. An independent person is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who knows about your family, community and culture, who can help Child Safety understand what you want to say.