Western Australia’s approach recognises that an effective child protection system is much more than statutory responses by the Department for Child Protection to reports of suspected child abuse. Effective protection of children requires a comprehensive and coordinated whole-of-community response. This incorporates community education on effective parenting, information on what constitutes abuse and neglect of a child, prevention and early intervention responses and access to treatment services.

A whole-of-community approach ensures Western Australia has a sustainable system that focuses on improving outcomes for children and young people by preventing child abuse and neglect from occurring or re-occurring and protecting those who are most vulnerable.