In November 2007 the NSW Government established the Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection Services in NSW led by retired Supreme Court Judge, the Honourable James Wood AO QC.

The Inquiry was established following the deaths of two children in 2007 that caused widespread public concern about the capacity of the child protection system to prevent such deaths.

In November 2008 The Honourable James Wood AO QC handed down the report of the Special Commission which made 111 recommendations. The key principles which underpinned the Inquiry’s reforms were as follows. Child protection is the collective responsibility of the whole of government and the community. Primary responsibility for rearing and supporting children and young people should rest with families and communities, and with government providing support where it is needed, either directly or through the funded non-government sector