A state child protection department has reported a sharp increase in deaths of children either in direct care or who had recent contact with the system, with upwards of 25 children dying in the past year compared with nine the year before.
The figures come from the Department for Child Protection's annual report, tabled in state parliament on Thursday. Three children in direct care died between July 2025 and June 2026, all due to medical conditions. Another 23 children were not in care but had been in contact with the child protection system in the previous 12 months. At least nine of those deaths were caused by medical or congenital issues, according to the department. Coroner's findings were still pending for another 13 who also had medical circumstances associated with their passing.
Department for Child Protection chief executive Jackie Bray said her agency was receiving an increasing number of child protection notifications about children and young people with complex disabilities, adding that in most cases those children are able to safely remain with their families.
"The passing of any child is a profound tragedy," Bray said. "Every child and young person's life matters, as do the families, friends and communities who have to live with the impact of that loss."
"Supporting a child or young person with complex needs or a life-limiting illness requires individuals with deep compassion and a commitment to ensuring the care they provide is the best it can be for the child," she said.
Bray said collaboration was a key focus of new child protection laws, which will come into operation next year.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The figures highlight challenges in protecting vulnerable children, particularly those with complex medical needs.
- The rise may prompt scrutiny of the child protection system's capacity and coordination with health services.
- New laws due next year signal an attempt to improve responses.
Background
The Department for Child Protection oversees the state's child protection system, including out-of-home care and family support services. The annual report tabled in parliament provides a statistical overview of deaths among children known to the system. The previous year recorded nine deaths, making the rise to 25 a significant increase.
What to Watch
- Coroner's findings for 13 children whose deaths remain under investigation, which could reveal further systemic issues.
- Implementation of the new child protection laws due to take effect next year and whether they alter outcomes.
- Whether the trend of increasing notifications about children with complex disabilities continues and how the system adapts.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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- SupportedDeaths of children in state care or recently in contact with the system rose sharply.Just In: “Upwards of 25 children who were either in state care or had been in recent contact with the child protection system died over the past year — a sharp rise on the previous year's figures.”
- SupportedMore than 25 children in care or with recent system contact died in the past year, compared with nine the previous year.Just In: “In the 2024-25 year, there were nine deaths of children and young people who were either in care or had been in recent contact with the system.”
- SupportedThe Department for Child Protection's annual report was tabled in state parliament on Thursday.Just In: “According to the Department for Child Protection's annual report, tabled in state parliament on Thursday, three children in direct care died between July 2025 and June 2026.”
- SupportedThree children in direct care died between July 2025 and June 2026, all due to medical conditions.Just In: “three children in direct care died between July 2025 and June 2026. All of those were due to medical conditions.”
- SupportedAnother 23 children not in care had been in contact with the child protection system in the previous 12 months and died during the same time frame.Just In: “During the same time frame, there were another 23 deaths of children who were not in care but had been in contact with the child protection system in the past 12 months.”
- SupportedAt least nine of those deaths were caused by medical or congenital issues, according to the department.Just In: “At least nine of those deaths were caused by medical or congenital issues, according to the department.”
- SupportedCoroner's findings were pending for another 13 children whose deaths also had medical circumstances associated with them.Just In: “Coroner's findings were still pending for another 13 who also had medical circumstances associated with their passing.”
- SupportedJackie Bray said her agency was receiving an increasing number of child protection notifications about children and young people with complex disabilities.Just In: “Department for Child Protection chief executive Jackie Bray said her agency was receiving an increasing number of child protection notifications about children and young people with complex disabilities.”
- SupportedBray said that in most cases those children can safely remain with their families.Just In: “She said, in most cases, those children are able to safely remain with their families.”
- SupportedBray said, “The passing of any child is a profound tragedy,” and, “Every child and young person's life matters, as do the families, friends and communities who have to live with the impact of that loss.”Just In: “"The passing of any child is a profound tragedy," she said. "Every child and young person's life matters, as do the families, friends and communities who have to live with the impact of that loss.”
- SupportedBray said, “Supporting a child or young person with complex needs or a life-limiting illness requires individuals with deep compassion and a commitment to ensuring the care they provide is the best it can be for the child.”Just In: “"Supporting a child or young person with complex needs or a life-limiting illness requires individuals with deep compassion and a commitment to ensuring the care they provide is the best it can be for the child."”
- SupportedBray said collaboration was a key focus of new child protection laws that will come into operation next year.Just In: “She said collaboration was a key focus of new child protection laws, which will come into operation next year.”