The Department of Child Protection and Family Support (formerly Department for Child Protection) administered the Children and Community Services Act 2004 and the Working with Children Act 2004. The Department provided for the protection and care of children and young people, and supported at risk individuals and families in resolving crises. Specific services were offered for the adoption of children, licensing of child care services and criminal record checking for persons working with children. Offices operated from the Kimberley to the Great Southern regions of the State.

Under the McGowan Government, a series of Machinery of Government changes were made to the public sector creating a number of new amalgamated departments. On 1 July 2017, the Department for Child Protection and Family support was amalgamated with the following agencies: the Department of Housing (including Housing Authority); the Disability Services Commission; the communities function of the Department of Local Government and Communities; the Regional Services Reform Unit; and the regional coordination and engagement function of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs.