Two children were left in a police station overnight despite available support, exposing systemic failures in NSW child protection.

Two children, aged 12 and 14, spent a night in a police station after being removed from or fleeing their homes, despite a 24-hour Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) after-hours team being available to assist. The team failed to act, determining the children were “safe” simply because they were in custody and not contacting on-call DCJ workers. Families and Communities Minister Kate Washington called the incidents “deeply concerning,” acknowledging systemic failures that prompted leadership changes and disciplinary action. The issues were highlighted during a NSW budget estimates hearing, revealing widespread challenges including high caseworker burnout, attrition, and staffing shortages—particularly in the Hunter region, which has the second-highest workers’ compensation claim rate in NSW. In 2024/25, nearly 92,000 children reported as at risk of harm were not assessed in person, a 20% statewide strike rate, with over 15,600 in the Hunter region receiving no face-to-face evaluation. DCJ officials acknowledged the shortcomings and committed to reform.