Multiple child protection reports failing to stem risk – inquiry finds

Thursday 4 June 2026 – for immediate release 

Children and young people who are subject to multiple Child Protection reports are facing escalating risk because of ever-increasing demand on child protection and other parts of the child and family system, missed opportunities to focus on their needs, and referrals that fail to engage them and their families in voluntary supports that could prevent further harm. 

These are among the key findings of the Left behind inquiry tabled by the Commission for Children and Young People in the Victorian Parliament this morning. 

The report makes 17 findings and 13 recommendations. These include to better fund family services, to deliver tailored services directly to children and young people, and to strengthen shared understanding of risk and the system of communication and referrals, so that children, young people and their families receive the help they need. 

‘This inquiry found that children and young people who are considered below the level of risk requiring a mandatory Child Protection intervention, but who need voluntary services to prevent their risk from worsening, often don’t get those services either,’ said Tracy Beaton, Victoria’s Principal Commissioner for Children and Young People, today. 

‘When risk and harm isn’t addressed, it is left to be carried by children and young people, who can then suffer life-long trauma. 

‘In this and previous inquiries, the Commission has continued to see report after report to Child Protection with ultimately no improvement in the lives of children and young people. That needs to change,’ Commissioner Beaton said. 

Seventy-five per cent of children and young people reported to Child Protection in 2025 were subject to a previous report at some point in their lifetime – 52 per cent within the previous year, and 63 per cent within the previous two years. 

Of those who did not reach the threshold for a Child Protection intervention and were referred to family services, more than half (58 per cent) could not be contacted or declined engagement, potentially leading to increasing risk, further reports, and worse outcomes. 

‘We call this the “refer-and-close roundabout”, because the cases of these children and young people are often closed without effective – or indeed any – intervention,’ said Commissioner Beaton. 

The inquiry included the review of past child death inquiries for 35 children known to Child Protection. These children each had from 2–28 reports (average eight), with a total of 267 reports between them over their lifetimes. In total, 231 of the reports were closed at intake (66 per cent), or at the investigation stage (19 per cent). 

‘We’re seeing overwhelming pressure on a dedicated and hard-working child and family system. That undermines consistent risk assessment, leads to ineffective referrals to pressured services, and to low engagement amid long waiting lists, even when families do choose to engage,’ Commissioner Beaton said. 

‘We need to reduce the pressure on the statutory end of the system by intervening earlier, supporting shared understanding of risk and referral outcomes, and ensuring that children and young people get access to services – especially family violence services – even if their parents do not engage. 

‘The best way to address risk is to respond to it at the earliest opportunity, and that means through services that intervene before a Child Protection intervention becomes necessary. Referrals must lead to better outcomes. 

‘We commend our findings and recommendations to the government, and look forward to their response,’ Commissioner Beaton concluded.