Commissioner for Children and Young People SA

02/11/2026

This year's Children's Week theme centred on the United Nations' Rights of the Child Article 30, "Children have the right to use their own language, celebrate their culture, and practice their religion."

Commissioner for Children and Young People Dr Kylie Heneker had the chance to speak at Woodville Gardens School and launch Children's Week 2026, emphasising the importance of this article.

"You have the right to your cultural, language and community connections. And you deserve to feel proud of who you are.

You should feel welcome at school, with your friends, and in your community, knowing that your language, culture, and beliefs are respected."

Thank you to the students and school community for sharing your voices, music, and creativity, and for showing what curiosity, empathy and courage can make possible.

28/10/2026

hey chat, the big boss wanted me to translate for y'all - xoxo, ccyp social admin

(you can find the full strategy at our website)

26/10/2026

We loved joining Scouts SA on Saturday for the Hoporee 2026.

Through our Hope Tree activity, children shared their hopes for their own futures and for all children, adding colourful leaves and paper people to a growing display of optimism, kindness and big dreams.

Thank you to every child who stopped by to share their hopes with us.

24/10/2026

Today marks the beginning of Children's Week 2026 themed around the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of the Child Article 30: "Children have the right to use their own language, celebrate their culture, and practice their religion"

Perhaps you speak one language at school and another at home. Perhaps your family celebrates a special occasion, shares stories passed down through generations, or practises a faith that is important to you.

This week, take a moment to speak to the children and young people in your life about this fundamental right.

22/10/2026

We had a blast with Art Gallery of South Australia on the weekend at Neo's Let's Gogh Teen Takeover!

Our team spent some time creating a Starry Night out of the children and young people's hopes for the future, and making wands for them to work their magic on the world around them.

We had some amazing chats about what it means to be a young person today, belonging and community, and how adults can help children and young people.

📸: Saige Prime

22/10/2026

CCYP is proud to partner with YACSA to support this important project. We know there is incredible work being led by young people and their supporters and this is a great opportunity to identify and strengthen networks across the state. Please fill out the survey to help map youth participation across South Australia!

What does youth participation actually look like in South Australia? We’re asking the people who know.

If you’re a young person aged between 12 and 25 and have:

📝 been part of a youth advisory group, workshop or consultation, tell us what worked and what didn’t.

❓never taken part in anything like that, we want to hear from you too. What’s kept you out matters just as much.

Or, if you work in the sector and facilitate a youth advisory group or similar, tell us what genuine participation takes in practice.

We’re running a short survey for each group to help paint the picture. Each takes about 10 minutes and responses are anonymous.

Young people with participation experience 👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfbvDnzXnvatOcNe0nN6fYhdMgGWafXB0EjMcwqWe2HUfn8QA/viewform

Young people with little/no participation experience 👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUBPdevWdtqlmOae4p95E506Gz1U56zp7f3CjlRgpNny-ZvQ/viewform

Facilitators of youth participation activities 👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9BLHH0eRb8lwEjFCvXYvGM4Nd4D07wR9JtutbFp6yQwd2rw/viewform

ID: YACSA graphic on a dark green background. Bright green heading: ‘Youth participation in South Australia.’ Cream subheading: ‘Help us map what youth participation really looks like across the state.’ Two cream panels list who can take part in each. Surveys for young people aged 12–25: people who’ve been part of a youth advisory group, workshop or consultation, and people who’ve never taken part. For the sector: people who facilitate a youth advisory group or similar.

21/10/2026

The Commissioner for Children and Young People SA recently released a report on the social media ban and how it's affecting children and young people. Hear what she had to find about the results on ABC Adelaide radio with Jo Laverty.

21/10/2026

A wonderful celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, sharing and keeping their Culture and stories alive through art. Some incredible artworks on display at the SA Museum.

Thank you to the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People SA for inviting the Commissioner to be part of this celebration.

19/10/2026

“Children and young people have been clear about what they expect from me: to listen, protect their rights and act on what they tell us.”

Marking her first year as South Australia’s Commissioner for Children and Young People, Dr Kylie Heneker reflects on how their perspectives have shaped her priorities and our work.

That includes our 2026–2028 Strategy, the Young Changemakers Network, paid internships and advocacy informed by young people’s experiences.

Access, Belonging and Contribution remain our focus. Progress depends on bringing children’s voices together with research, data and the expertise of those working alongside them, and using that evidence to inform decisions, policy and services.

Thank you to the children, young people and partners who have contributed. We look forward to continuing this shared work.

08/10/2026

Despite the social media ban directly affecting children and young people, they were not consulted during its development. A survey we undertook earlier this year provided an opportunity for their experiences, perspectives, and ideas to help inform future discussions about online safety.

Find the full report at https://www.ccyp.com.au/publications/social-media-ban-report/ .