South Australian child protection agency placed three kids with relatives despite mothers' objections

A recent Ombudsman report concluded that the South Australian Department for Child Protection acted in error by informally relocating three children to family members against the explicit wishes of their mothers. In two instances, the department used "safety plans"—normally collaborative agreements—to place children with another parent or close relative, despite the mothers' consistent disagreement and without invoking formal statutory removal powers.

The third case involved an infant placed with the father while the mother, whose mental health was a concern, also opposed the move; the department proceeded without a safety plan or formal removal. The Ombudsman described these actions as administrative errors that breached internal policies requiring genuine collaboration with parents. Acting Chief Executive Darian Shephard-Bayly welcomed the findings and said the agency is updating its practice manual and other procedures to prevent recurrence.