Starvation of “Ebony”.(Shelley Ebony Ward
The tragic death of “Ebony” in November 2007 sparked a public outrage in Australia and raised concerns on child protection systems in place.
Assessment Task
Students are required to review the case study and
comment whether the then child protection laws.
and systems were adequate.
Students are also to explore the subsequent Wood
Inquiry into Child Protection Services in NSW
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The tragic death of Ebony in November 2007 led to significant scrutiny of the child protection laws and systems in New South Wales, Australia. At the time of her death, the existing child protection framework failed to prevent the chronic starvation and neglect she suffered, despite multiple interactions with her family by various agencies. Her parents were ultimately found guilty of murder and manslaughter, highlighting severe shortcomings in the system’s ability to protect vulnerable children (Shellay Ward – Disability Day of Mourning) ([Solved] Starvation of Ebony. The tragic death of Ebony in November 2007… | CliffsNotes).
In response to public outrage and the systemic failures evident in Ebony’s case, the Wood Inquiry into Child Protection Services was commissioned. This inquiry scrutinized the existing child protection practices and recommended comprehensive reforms aimed at improving coordination among different agencies and focusing on high-risk families to prevent such tragedies. The NSW Government subsequently developed a five-year plan titled “Keep Them Safe: A shared approach to child wellbeing,” which redefined the roles and responsibilities of government agencies, emphasizing a shared responsibility for child protection. This plan also led to legislative changes to better protect children and enhance interagency collaboration ().
These efforts aimed to create a system where child protection is a communal responsibility, and the threshold for the intervention of the Department of Community Services (DoCS) is clearly defined, allowing other agencies to handle less severe cases through referral services or internal resources. Furthermore, the plan supported the expansion of early intervention services and strengthened the role of non-governmental organizations in providing services.
Overall, the case of Ebony and the subsequent Wood Inquiry have been pivotal in reshaping child protection in NSW, addressing many of the inadequacies that were previously present. These changes mark significant progress in the approach to child protection, focusing on prevention, early intervention, and better management of high-risk situations to ensure that vulnerable children do not slip through the cracks.