NT child protection review uncovers systemic failures
An independent review looked at the case before a five-year-old's alleged murder. It found 45 failures across the NT child protection system.
An independent review of Northern Territory child protection showed widespread system failures. The report examined the Department of Children and Families' handling of Kumanjayi Little Baby's case.
This was before the child's alleged murder at age five. The department got 14 notifications over six years about the child's exposure to domestic violence.
But it did not do enough. The child scored only two out of ten on safety markers.
Yet she remained in the home for 229 days with no improvement. The department did not assess domestic violence risk despite growing violence in the family.
The review made 45 recommendations to overhaul the department. The government accepted them all.
Reviewers said child protection operations needed a complete reset.
- 45 recommendations made
- Systemic failures
- 14 over six years
- Family notifications
- Two out of ten
- Safety rating
- 229 days with no improvement
- Days in danger
Why it mattersThe findings show widespread problems across the entire NT department. They affect child safety far beyond this single case.
AustraliaNT child protection services must now overhaul operations across the state following findings of widespread failures in how risk is assessed.
Corroborated bythenightly.com.au·sbs.com.au
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