Shocking text revealed as whistleblowers claim children in NSW state care neglected, at risk of serious harm

Vulnerable NSW children in state care are being neglected, gaining access to illicit drugs and running amok, whistleblowers claim, highlighting a litany of extreme failures in the duty of care of a government-contracted provider.

Vulnerable NSW children in state care are being neglected, gaining access to illicit drugs and running amok, whistleblowers claim.

Vulnerable NSW children in state care are being neglected, gaining access to illicit drugs and running amok, whistleblowers claim, highlighting a litany of extreme failures in the duty of care of a government-contracted provider.

Five former and current staff with social services organisation Life Without Barriers (LWB) have blown the whistle on care being provided to children on behalf of the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), claiming at least 50 children and young people are at serious risk of harm, with allegations of ‘serious neglect’ by some LWB staff in ensuring childrens’ wellbeing and safety.

LWB cared for 5966 children and youths in partnership with 1691 carers and families, according to their 2023-2024 annual report.

Among those was Amy*, a 16 year-old in the care of a LWB-staffed residence in regional NSW, who is at “significant risk of death”, according to internal documents seen by The Sunday Telegraph.

Amy, who came into LWB’s care in 2022, has been in and out of foster care and residential homes her entire life and has been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and ‘suicidal ideation’ among other serious mental health struggles, according to her in-care safety document.

A text message showing Life Without Barriers workers allegedly making fun of a child in their care. Picture: Supplied

But multiple whistleblowers claim staff are neglecting to follow procedures set up for her care, with the girl regularly ‘absconding’ from her residential care facility at 1am and admitted to hospital multiple times for treatment.

Amy’s safety plan, drafted in January, in bold font at the top lists that she requires 24/7 supervision ‘at all times’ due to ‘complex and high-risk behaviours, including persistent suicidal ideation, repeated self-harm, and significant suicide attempts.’

However, the same document details that the girl has absconded from carers ‘six days in the past month alone’ and that each time she has left care ‘she is exposed to significant harm, including drug and alcohol use, associating with unsafe individuals, and engaging in impulsive decision-making that places her at extreme risk.’

The sheet details instructions to carers to search her room daily for items she could use to hurt herself, and quiz her on four questions rather than comfort her if she exhibits adverse mental health.

Sources confirmed Amy herself had approached LWB staff concerned by the standard of care being shown to her on multiple occasions but no action was taken.

A former Life Without Barriers care worker shared concerns about the duty of care shown by staff to children including Amy in her former workplace.

“If Amy doesn’t get the appropriate care that she requires, I fear she will die. There is no one in Life Without Barriers taking her health seriously or providing her with wraparound support,” she said.

“I witnessed other staff members failing to supervise the kids in residential care … I also know of children that have been easily able to meet drug dealers outside the homes and buy drugs such as ketamine and marijuana.”

The Sunday Telegraph has also seen evidence of text messages from Life Without Barriers workers taunting children in their care.

This includes a photo of a boy doing dishes being shared in a group chat with the messages between workers saying: “Making the kid earn his keep”, followed up with “Sorry teaching him life skills”.

The photo and messages attracted several laughing emojis from care workers.

Mel James, child protection advocate, says Amy’s story is not an isolated situation. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Another former Life Without Barriers care worker, who worked at the charity for more than a year, said staff often failed to report a child’s serious health and wellbeing concerns to authorities, and that her own concerns went unanswered.

“The workers in these residential care homes are treating young people horribly. They are not only letting them abscond but they can’t manage the physical and mental health issues of these children,” she said.

“I made formal complaints to the director and nothing was achieved to fix any of the issues. These children and young people deserve so much better.”

A student who undertook a placement with Life Without Barriers in the same area of NSW last year, said she witnessed ‘serious neglect’ from workers.

“There were days when I went into the office and it was empty, staff were either working from home or spending hours drinking at the Parkview Pub in Orange,” they said.

“What I saw was a lack of consistency and follow up when it came to managing a child’s case.

“When I shadowed the workers, they were not doing regular visits and they didn’t even bother to go into homes to properly check on them.”

“Management never held these workers to account … I fear more kids could die, something needs to be urgently done to protect these children.”

Two other LWB-linked workers who spoke to The Sunday Telegraph also corroborated the claims.

Child protection advocate Mel James said Amy’s story was not an ‘isolated’ situation and she was aware of hundreds of children who have been seriously harmed in residential and foster care. Ms James claimed both the DCJ and LWB were ‘ignoring’ concerns raised about minors’ wellbeing.

“I’m aware of cases where children and young people have been sexually assaulted, physically and psychologically abused, witnessing domestic violence and facing extreme medical, educational and developmental neglect,” Ms James said.

“Despite warnings about immediate wellbeing concerns, (DCJ and LWB) still fail to take any responsibility.”

Child protection charity Adopt Change CEO Renee Carter said: “Any report suggesting that children in care have been placed at risk demands urgent attention.”

“When residential care is necessary, it must be held to the highest rigour and standards.”

A Life Without Barriers spokesman said the “care and privacy of children is our absolute focus” and that staff misconduct allegations were “taken extremely seriously”.

Families and Communities Minister Washington said the foster care system needed “significant reform”.

“Our reform work is already underway, but there’s so much more we need to do to create a more caring, transparent, and accountable system,” she said.

A DCJ spokesman said the department “continues to monitor LWB to ensure it is meeting its contractual obligations to keep children safe.”

*Name has been changed.
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Originally published as Shocking text revealed as whistleblowers claim children in NSW state care neglected, at risk of serious harm