Current topics for investigation in 2011-12

Through the Ombudsman’s Child Death Review function (click here to read more information about Child Death Review) the Ombudsman reviews and investigates the sudden or unexpected deaths of children who are known to the Department for Child Protection.  In addition to reviewing and investigating specific child deaths, the Ombudsman will be conducting a series of major investigations examining areas of systemic concern that arise from the reviews of individual cases. 

These major investigations are key priorities for the office's Administrative Improvement team in 2010-11.  A cross-agency perspective is being applied in undertaking the projects where relevant.

The first two investigations, commenced in 2010-11, are:

  • Investigation of the care planning process for children in the care of the Chief Executive Officer of the Department for Child Protection; and
  • Investigation based on research into the prevalence, risk factors and current preventive strategies for sleep related infant deaths.