A troubled 16-year-old boy follows a path of dislocation and abuse and ends his life in horrifying circumstances after setting himself on fire. While the coroner has said it cannot be determined what action might have prevented his death, the path to this point is clearly one of failed support. 

This failure begins with his family, extends to the wider community and continues with relationships the court heard were inadequately investigated.

The first part of the tragedy is Kyle Sear’s sexuality drove him from his family. This and other conditions placed him in the realm of the increasingly vulnerable and more urgently in need of help.

Ultimately the sad story ends with the Department of Health and Human Services, so often tasked with picking up and patching up some of the most unfortunate human histories.

But again we see a case where whether due to insufficient resources or information they closed the case a month before the boy’s death.

Coroner Jacqui Hawkins said  “the child protection system did not adequately protect Kyle in his time of need and vulnerability…. (their responses) were at a superficial level and ultimately, inadequate.”

DHHS conceded if Kyle had been identified as high-risk it is possible he may have been linked in with a case worker who could have looked out for his needs.

It also conceded each individual and organisation who came into contact with Kyle did not have the full picture at any point in time.

The Child Protection operations manager told the inquest vital information about Kyle, his childhood experiences of abuse and neglect, his psychological health, risk of self-harming behaviours and engagement with services in South Australia did not form part of the risk assessment.

This indicates a fundamental breakdown in information sharing that might have lead to a more complete picture of his condition and a more thorough investigation.

The reason his story must be a wider lesson is not simply to point the finger at the DHHS but show we are dealing with a mental health crisis with our young and more support and care are critically needed  to avoid such waste. (Anyone seeking support can contact Lifeline  on 13 11 14. or Headspace Ballarat 5304 4777)