Our Analysis, Insights and Reporting team prepares in-depth insights papers on a specific topic. The purpose is to embed the insights discovered across the work of the Commission and to share findings with relevant stakeholders.
These strategic insights often acknowledge the rich, tacit knowledge that our teams hold, the many unique relationships we have formed with various stakeholders over time as well as the various ways in which we as a Commission engage with subject matter. Insights papers are intended to assist in effectively communicating potential emerging and current issues to support decisions about whether further review is required.
This Insights Paper features a summary of Australian research, analysis and updates released in November 2024 about child and family wellbeing.
Topics in this report include youth justice and the child protection system, ambulance attendance, child support, coercive control, pornography, prenatal deaths, climate change and more.
Crossover Cohort: Young people under youth justice supervision and their interaction with the child protection system
Data in this report is from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2024), Young people under youth justice supervision and their interaction with the child protection system 2022–23, AIHW, Australian Government.
Read the paper below.
Young people who are absent from care placements are at significant risk of exploitation. This paper, Absent from care, explores the issue of Queensland children staying somewhere that is not their approved placement, the reasons why they might leave their placement, the risks they face when absent from care, and what needs to change to ensure they are safe and supported.
Recommendations are provided for the challenges faced in this sector, including flexible, creative and relationship-based responses to address the reasons why young people leave their placements, and to support them while absent from care placements until they find a safe alternative.
Read the paper below.
This paper focuses on the needs of young parents whose circumstances often require specific supports to enable them to thrive in their role as parents.
Many young parents experience social exclusion and isolation, which can hamper their ability to parent effectively. Providing the best possible support to young parents is a way to ensure the next generation is protected from whatever disadvantage may impact them so that they can reach their full potential.
We thank Queensland Health, Health and Wellbeing Queensland, the Brisbane Youth Service, YFS Youth and Family Service, IFYS (Integrated Family and Youth Service) and Micah Projects for sharing case studies, data, information and insights about young parenting in Queensland, as well as their views about what’s working well and opportunities for improvement. A special thanks to QFCC Youth Advocate Piper-Marie, who generously shared her experience of young parenthood.
Read the paper below.
Children and young people living in foster, kinship or residential care are some of the most vulnerable children and young people in Queensland. When children and young people are not able to live safely with their parents it is the responsibility of Child Safety to ensure they have appropriate care arrangements.
On average, over $400,000 is spent annually per child living in residential care - much higher than the average cost per child living in family-based care which is just over $30,000 annually. This insights paper outlines the current carer allowance rates across Australia and the increase in cost-of-living expenses for Queensland families to consider whether Queensland carer allowances can meet the needs of the children and young people they care for.
Read the paper below.
As children grow, they naturally seek increasing independence from their parents and carers. Childhood independence assists young people to develop a sense of self, an ability to be self-reliant and a strong sense of self-esteem.
We explored the perception that our parents and grandparents had more freedom to wander from their homes and explore their neighbourhoods without adult supervision.
We conducted a one-off, online survey to gather information about what it is or was like growing up in Queensland across generations.
View the findings in the 'Wandering' insights paper below.