provision, however, although it’s useful to be aware of the challenging nature of using research base evidence and needs, be considered it should not be a deterrent for policy makers not to use research base evidence when creating reform.
The Wood Report
The NSW Government issued a commission for a major inquiry into the state’s child protection system, led by retired Supreme Court Judge Justice James Wood following the death of two children in 2007 as a result of abuse and neglect. The investigation focused on the actions of the Department of Community Services ‘ now Family and Community Services (FACS) and a non-government family support service.
This review examined the following: systems for reporting child abuse and neglect, management of reports including the efficiency of systems and process, prioritising and decision making, management of cases, recording of essential information, the professional capacity of case workers, the adequacy of current statuary frameworks and responsibility of mandatory reporters, adequate arrangements for interagency cooperation, the adequacy of arrangements for children in out of home care, the adequacy of resources and child protection systems and other matters agreed by the Commissioner and the Minister. The inquiry leads to recommendations, strategies for legislative, structural and cultural change in the NSW child protection system.
On 2008, the findings of this Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection Services in New South Wales were released in the form of a three-volume report containing 111 recommendations.
The inquiry into child protection services found that demand for child protection services was being met for only a fraction of the children reported, and that families were excluded from intervention or service provision because of the prioritisation of high-risk cases needing urgent intervention.
The inquiry noted that those reports assessed by FACS ‘many assessments lacked a holistic approach, lack rigor and did not take advantage of expertise or information of others’.
Consultations and submissions from a wide range of services such as the Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies, Department of Community Services, NSW Commission for Children and Young People, NSW Ombudsman, The Benevolent Society, The Children’s Guardian and many other