Falling Through the Gaps

A Mother Fighting to Reconnect with Her Children

A mother of five children (aged 12 years to 2 years) self-referred to us after struggling with the removal of her children DCJ. The children were placed in four separate locations, with her eldest daughter, aged 12, living in hotel accommodation under 24/7 supervision. Despite these arrangements, the daughter continuously left her placement to return home to her mother.

The mother is a victim of domestic and family violence (DFV), having suffered abuse from two former partners and throughout her own childhood. Despite this, she received no referrals or support to heal and recover. There is currently no plan in place to reunite her with her children, as the matter is now before the Children’s Court to determine long-term placements.

She reached out for help after sharing her struggles on social media and reconnecting with a former client who had successfully had her children restored with our intervention. In December, she contacted us, desperate for support. After assessing her situation and recognizing the systemic failure she had experienced, we committed to assisting her—even though this type of service is no longer funded following system reforms.

Expecting parents to access services on their own after the traumatic removal of their children is unfair and unjust. The system continues to fail in reducing the number of children in out-of-home care (OOHC) or providing adequate support for parents seeking restoration.

A Mother Misjudged as ‘non-protective’

Another mother we have begun supporting has three children. She has been charged with conspiring and concealing information related to an offence, while her husband—the father of the children—has been charged with multiple sexual assault offences against their 9-year-old daughter. He has been in prison for several months following a breach of an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO).

This mother’s situation became even more complex when her refusal to engage with a NSW Health support service for her daughter led authorities to view her as ‘non-protective.’ As a result, another report was made against her, prompting DCJ to allocate the matter. Many times, cases without an identified ongoing risk to children are not followed up, but in this instance, further action was taken against her.

Sexual assault services supporting children often require engagement from a ‘non-offending parent’ to provide support. While this is an essential safeguard for children, it can also exclude highly vulnerable mothers. Many of these women have endured childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, and significant manipulation by the perpetrator. Instead of receiving the support they desperately need, they are often labelled as unsupportive or complicit, further marginalizing them.

Addressing Systemic Failures

These stories highlight the persistent gaps in the system that leave vulnerable mothers without crucial support. The reforms intended to improve child protection and reduce OOHC placements have instead left many parents with nowhere to turn. If we truly want to create a system that prioritizes the well-being of children, we must also ensure that their parents—particularly those who are victims of abuse—receive the necessary resources to heal, recover, and reunite with their families.

Our work continues to bridge these gaps, providing essential advocacy and support to mothers who have been left behind by a system that fails to recognize their unique challenges. The urgent need for policy changes and expanded support services cannot be ignored—because every family deserves a chance to heal and rebuild.