Western Australia's Child Protection Minister Jessica Stojkovski has flown to the Pilbara in the state's north after reports vulnerable Aboriginal children are being left alone in poor conditions, sometimes for days at a time, in a home owned by the WA Department of Housing and Works.

The Australian revealed in a report late last week the children lived in poor conditions in the South Hedland home.

The newspaper reported up to 15 children could be found at the house at times, including the children of the tenants, and that the parents left the house often for days at a time.

The report also said children were sleeping on soiled clothes on the floor, and that the house had been reported to the Department of Child Protection at least nine months ago.

Neighbours told the newspaper there has been little or no response from child services, despite police visits, and they alleged there had seen evidence of drug use in the house.

The report suggested child protection workers knew about the conditions at the home, and reported comments from former Department staff and WA Police officers who said the current staff were not fulfilling their duties.

Minister Stojkovski told WA Today it was unacceptable for children to live in such conditions.

"No child should have their safety and wellbeing put at risk," she said.

"I am seeking urgent answers in relation to the children concerned and what actions are being taken.

"Child protection is a complex issue and the department is continuing to work with other agencies in South Hedland to support these vulnerable families so no child is left behind."

While WA Premier Roger Cook told media on Monday that the report was "very distressing", he also rejected the suggestion that fears of creating a new Stolen Generation had prevented or discouraged the removal of Aboriginal children from neglectful or unsafe homes.

The West Australian reports Mr Cook said "people do not make these decisions on whim".

"They do not make these decisions on the basis of a suspicion. They do so under the circumstances and the evidence that's before them."

The Premier said he understood "there are some circumstances" in the South Hedland case "which appear to be completely unacceptable, and obviously the Department of Child Protection has a responsibility to be able to monitor and get on top of these situations".

"Department of Child Protection works in very complex and difficult circumstances, made even more complex and difficult in a town such as Port Hedland," he said.

"They're often criticised for taking children away, particularly Aboriginal children, and in some circumstances, and in this situation, criticised for not doing so, but they work in very complex circumstances.

"We back them, and it's important that they be allowed to get on with their job and Minister Stojkovski will be up there today to make sure that they have the support they need to be able to intervene if that's what's required."

Kurin Minang human rights expert and law academic Dr Hannah McGlade told National Indigenous Times the case highlighted the need for an Aboriginal Children's Commissioner in WA, noting it was recommended by an inquiry into child protection 30 years ago, and a state peak body for women and children's safety.

Nationals MP Julie Freeman told WA Today the reports indicated a damning failure by the state government.

"No child should be living in these conditions and the fact authorities were reportedly aware of what was happening makes it even more appalling," she said.

"We must never forget the terrible legacy of the Stolen Generations. But acknowledging the mistakes of the past cannot mean turning a blind eye to neglect today.

"We cannot allow fear of being labelled racist, or sensitivity around intervention, to override the most basic responsibility of government: keeping children safe."

A Department of Communities spokesperson told WA Today the department worked closely with police, government agencies and Aboriginal community organisations to identify and coordinate responses for at risk children and families in South Hedland and Port Hedland.

"Where safety concerns for family visitations are raised, Communities engages with Police to ensure appropriate arrangements are put in place to allow contact visits to occur safely," they said.

The spokesperson said the department "undertakes appropriate child safety investigations in all circumstances where safety concerns are raised for children and young people".