Accountability for Children in Education Western Australia - ACE WA

03/09/2026

https://share.google/jv8rnMQYP15jmwkmL

A survey of about 400 teachers finds classroom disruption has a significant negative effect on the health of teachers, with female teachers the most affected.

25/08/2026

24/08/2026

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-24/teacher-granted-bail-over-child-exploitation-material-charge/107071972

A Wheatbelt teacher is granted bail after being charged with sharing child exploitation material via social media.

22/08/2026

All public schools should have at least two educators to a classroom to support students’ learning, according to parents from a school in Perth’s south calling for a review of staffing allocations. More in comments.

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

Navigating the WA Public School System: A Parent and Advocate Perspective

When a child is struggling to thrive, facing barriers to reasonable adjustments, or experiencing difficulties in a Western Australian public school, families naturally look to the clear guidance provided on the Department’s website for support.

Often, however, families find themselves navigating a complex and overlapping administrative process. Based on insights shared with groups like ACE WA (Advocacy for Children in Education), parents frequently describe facing significant hurdles when trying to resolve concerns.

* Standards & Integrity: Escalating an issue to the Department's Standards and Integrity unit can sometimes result in findings that a situation does not meet the threshold for formal misconduct or that evidence is insufficient. Families are frequently redirected to external bodies such as the Ombudsman.

* The Ombudsman Process: Advocates note that external escalation pathways can involve extended wait times. Families have occasionally reported administrative setbacks, such as misplaced correspondence, or instances where cases are paused or closed if legal representation or human rights avenues are introduced.

The Human Impact on Children
While administrative and legal frameworks are being navigated, months can pass. During this time, a child may remain in a challenging school environment without the active support they need to succeed.
When systemic processes focus heavily on risk management and compliance, the immediate well-being of the student can sometimes be sidelined. Additionally, also what can happen to is that schools lean toward bureaucratic procedures rather than prioritizing the recommendations of external medical and allied health professionals who understand the child's daily needs.

Moving Toward a Collaborative Future
To better support students, families, and schools, a shift in focus toward collaborative problem-solving could make a meaningful difference:
* 🤝 Early Mediation: Prioritizing immediate, facilitated relationship repair between the school and parents to ensure the student feels supported and secure while solutions are found.
* ❌ Objective Oversight: Ensuring that complaints or reviews are handled with a fresh perspective, free from direct conflict of interest, to foster an environment of trust.
* 💡 Expert-Led Support: Actively integrating the guidance of medical practitioners, therapists, and specialists who understand the child's lived experience into the educational plan.

Our children thrive best in an environment where schools, families, and systems work collaboratively to protect their education, mental health, and future.

07/08/2026

Follow our live coverage here.

05/08/2026

WA's latest NAPLAN results are in, showing a mix of promising gains and one worrying decline.

Year 9 students impressed with scores above the national average, however Year 3 students recorded their weakest maths scores in years.

Click the link below for more from 10 News Perth.