New measures to support vulnerable and at-risk children in Port Hedland

• Cook Labor Government strengthening its response to child safety in the Port Hedland area
• New measures to provide greater protection and support for vulnerable children and families
• Safe Night Space program to be extended to operate seven days a week
• Dedicated senior coordinator to be appointed to lead multiagency response
• Builds on measures implemented last week including WA Chief Practitioner overseeing all child safety investigations in the Pilbara

The Cook Labor Government has announced new measures will be rolled out to support vulnerable and at-risk children in the Port Hedland area.

Child Protection Minister Jessica Stojkovski and Pilbara Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson are in Port Hedland today meeting with community leaders and organisations to hear concerns from the community about child safety. 

The Ministers met with senior officers from government agencies including Police, the Department for Child Protection and Julyardi Aboriginal Corporation. They are also meeting with community Elders to hear directly about their concerns.

A number of new measures have been agreed:

• progressively expanding the Safe Night Space program from three to seven nights a week;
• senior coordinator to oversee a multi-agency response for children at risk with clear channels of escalation;
• creation of a new local co-ordination group will bring together Child Protection, Police, Housing, Education, Health, Youth Justice and other agencies to strengthen support and ensure timely action for children at risk;
• Western Australian Chief Practitioner has been appointed to oversee child safety investigations and intensive family support cases in Port Hedland with a focus on complex and outstanding cases; and
• deploying four senior specialist child protection staff to the Pilbara, with staffing levels to be closely monitored and further resources added as needed.

Julyardi was appointed to run the Hedland Safe Space and opened in December 2025. The Cook Labor Government will support scaling up to seven nights a week. 

The Cook Labor Government continues to support Child Protection as part of its commitment to building safe and inclusive communities with the recruitment of 125 new carers, State-wide expansion of the CaLD Community Carers Program and progress on Aboriginal Representative Organisations.

Additionally, there has been a focus on investing earlier in families and improving practice, with 18 new Family Support Network and Intensive Family Support Services and a strengthened Signs of Safety framework focused on cultural responsiveness and children's lived experience.

Comments attributed to Child Protection Minister Jessica Stojkovski:

"The safety of children is always our top priority, and we will continue to work with local authorities and community members on the ground so no child is left behind.

"We recognise the issues and we are building on the work that is already being done to implement real and lasting change.

"Child protection is some of the most complex and difficult work and that is why we cannot do this on our own.

"Strengthening services on the ground and continuing to work together will deliver real impact to get the best outcomes for those who need it most."

Comments attributed to Pilbara Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:

"Today, we have listened to the community and committed to a targeted, multi-agency response which focuses on both the causes and effects of entrenched disadvantage in the Pilbara.

"Our government is committed to ensuring every child is safe, supported and has the tools they need to thrive - no matter where they live."

Comments attributed to Community Services Minister Matthew Swinbourn:

"The Safe Night Space provides young people with a safe place to go when they are facing crisis, homelessness or family instability and this is about securing the best outcomes for those who need it most.

"Expanding the Safe Night Space means more vulnerable young people will have access to the support they need."

Comments attributed to Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:

"As local member I am committed to ensuring all children in our community feel safe and supported.

"These additional measures will help deliver more support for vulnerable and at-risk children in Port Hedland and confirm the Cook Labor Government's strong commitment towards child protection in the Pilbara.