Department of Communities and Justice

The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) in New South Wales is the government agency responsible for child protection and community services. It is currently newsworthy due to significant concerns raised by the NSW ombudsman regarding the investigation of prenatal reports for high-risk children, with over a third not being referred due to resource limitations. Furthermore, the department is under scrutiny following the alleged murder of a four-year-old child, whose family was known to DCJ. The opposition is calling for an independent review into the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. These recent developments highlight ongoing challenges and public concern regarding the effectiveness of child protection services within the department.