Data reveals 100 kids died in care of Victorian child protection

An expert fears for vulnerable kids after data revealed 100 children known to child protection services died in the past two years.

Shocking new data revealed 100 children known to child protection services died in the past two years.

A child wellbeing expert says vulnerable kids are being “let down” by the state government following the release of shocking child death numbers.

Victorian Coroners Court data revealed that 100 children, known to the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing and Child Protection Services, tragically died in the past two years.

The report showed that 51 children died in 2020-21 and another 49 lost their lives in 2021-22.

The main causes of death were SIDS, suicide, car crashes, drownings, assault and natural circumstances.

In 65 cases, there was evidence of DFFH and child protection involvement within 12 months of the child’s death.

The Coroners Court said both departments were “active” at the time of death for 29 cases but alarmingly, they were “inactive” at the time of death for 71 cases.

Victoria’s Principal Commissioner for Children and Young People Liana Buchanan said the report was distressing.

“Data showing the deaths of vulnerable children known to child protection are always distressing, and rightly so,” she said.

“It is important to recognise some of these children died for reasons unrelated to their child protection involvement but there is, without question, a need to keep strengthening supports around many of these children.”

Commissioner for Children and Young People Liana Buchanan said the data was distressing. Picture: Mark Stewart

It’s understood more than $2.8bn has been invested in child and family services over the past three state budgets but Ms Buchanan said vulnerable kids were still being “let down” by the system.

“We have tabled eight reports on the child protection and care system in my six years as commissioner,” she said.

“Each report documents a system that is under pressure, with high case loads and staff turnover.

“And each report documents the often devastating implications for children.

“Despite significant investment by the current government, I still see too many children let down.”

Ms Buchanan said more investment was needed to match the demand.

“We also need a continuing focus on issues we identify in our inquiries — for example, better assessments of risk to children and better information sharing and co-ordination between services,” she said.

“Time and again, family violence also emerges as a theme in child deaths, whether or not it causes deaths directly.

“We know the areas that need attention.”

Opposition child protection spokesman Matt Bach said the current care system was broken.

“These are the most vulnerable and traumatised children in the community,” he said.

“They deserve the care and support of the state.

“Instead, the system utterly failed them.”

A state government spokesperson offered their condolences to impacted families.

“The death of any child is tragic and we offer our sympathy to all families who have lost a child,” they said.

“The majority of deaths are attributed to natural causes, SIDS/SUDI and accidents.

“The most recent report published by the Coroners Court of Victoria in May this year made no adverse findings against the department.”