New data display helps track safety and wellbeing of Australia’s children and young people
The release of a new series of 'dynamic data displays' from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) will better allow governments, decision makers, and members of the public to understand and track Australia's progress in keeping children and young people safe and well.
The online data displays present data relating to the National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2009-2020 (the National Framework)-a long-term plan to promote and enhance the safety and wellbeing of Australia's children.
Today's release shows that in 2013-14 the rate of children subject to a child protection substantiation of abuse or neglect (that is, the alleged abuse/neglect was deemed 'substantiated', following an investigation) was similar to that for the previous year, at 7.8 per 1,000 children aged 0-17, and higher than the rate of 6.2 recorded in 2009-10.
'The displays also show that the rate of children in out-of-home care has increased from 7.1 per 1,000 in 2010 to 8.1 in 2014, with Indigenous children and young people consistently over-represented,' said AIHW spokesperson Justine Boland.
The rate of Indigenous children in out-of-home care in 2014 was 51.4 per 1,000 compared to a rate of 5.6 for non-Indigenous children.
'The majority of Indigenous children in care between 2010 and 2014 have been placed with extended family or other Indigenous caregivers,' Ms Boland said.
Among children and young people in care who were required to have a case plan (to outline the goals of ongoing intervention and the actions required to achieve these goals), the majority (82%) had a current documented plan in 2014.
'Around 60% of young people aged 15 years and over who were required to have a 'leaving care plan' had a plan in place at 30 June 2014,' said Ms Boland.
'Leaving care plans' (also called 'transition from care plans'), are developed to support young people transitioning from out-of-home care into independent living.
More displays, looking at additional outcomes under the National Framework are planned for release later in 2015.
The AIHW is a major national agency set up by the Australian Government to provide reliable, regular and relevant information and statistics on Australia's health and welfare.