NSW Ombudsman: 37% of Prenatal Reports Go Uninvestigated 2026

The NSW ombudsman has found that more than a third of prenatal reports to protective services are not investigated, highlighting a critical shortage of caseworkers in the state's child protection system. The investigation into the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) revealed that 37% of all prenatal reports were closed without being allocated to a caseworker, leaving vulnerable unborn children at potential risk.

Key Findings of the Ombudsman's Investigation

The ombudsman, Paul Miller, released the report on Friday, raising serious concerns about the department's response to prenatal reports. Under the Care Act, individuals who suspect a child may be at risk of significant harm after birth can make a prenatal report to DCJ. However, the investigation found that many of these reports are being closed due to 'no capacity to allocate' resources.

According to the data, out of 5,007 prenatal reports, 1,844 were closed without being referred to a caseworker or support services. This means that nearly half of the reports about unborn children screened as being at risk of significant harm (ROSH) were also closed for the same reason, while only 50% were referred for case management.

Impact on High-Risk Children

The ombudsman expressed particular concern about high-risk children who were not referred to further support services or a dedicated case manager due to resource shortages. This lack of action could have severe consequences for the welfare of these children once they are born.

The report also highlighted that families were unlawfully compelled to take part in prenatal case work, adding another layer of concern about the department's practices.

Data at a Glance

What Needs to Change?

The findings underscore the urgent need for increased funding and resources for DCJ to ensure that every prenatal report is properly investigated. The ombudsman's report calls for immediate action to address the caseworker shortage and ensure that families are not unlawfully coerced into participating in case work.

• Increase caseworker allocation to handle prenatal reports effectively.
• Ensure referrals to support services for all high-risk cases.
• Compliance with legal standards to prevent unlawful compulsion of families.
• Transparent reporting on how prenatal reports are handled.

FAQ

This investigation serves as a wake-up call for the NSW government to prioritize child safety and allocate adequate resources to protect the most vulnerable members of society.

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