Information for data users
Publicly available data
To access or download aggregated POCLS data, go to the following sections:
Customised requests for policy relevant research
Policy and program areas can also make a special request for aggregated POCLS data if it is not publically available in the Interactive Dashboards and POCLS publications section.
POCLS offers a service to assist policy and program agencies define their research questions and establish research partnerships using the Study data.
Customised requests may incur a programming fee and will be subject to approval by DCJ. Please email Pathways@facs.nsw.gov.au to make a data request.
Access to confidentialised unit record data
Unit record data from the POCLS will be available to researchers on formal application. The application and publication process for all research using POCLS unit record data is outlined in the following POCLS technical reports:
- Guidelines for accessing the data and publications PDF, 1438.77 KB
- Guidelines for using record linkage data PDF, 1360.25 KB
Apply to undertake analysis funded by external grants or organisations
The POCLS data asset will be available to researchers who receive external grants or can self-fund projects approved by DCJ.
Key steps to access unit record data:
- Research application:
Researcher/s apply to DCJ for approval to access and use POCLS data in a defined research project by completing a Research Proposal and Data Analysis Plan Application. The completed Application can be emailed to Pathways@facs.nsw.gov.au.
The POCLS survey questionnaires, data dictionaries, data books and data user guides can assist you with this (see POCLS publications page). - Research application review:
DCJ reviews the Research Proposal and Data Analysis Plan Application. - Gain HREC approval for approved researchers:
For DCJ commissioned projects, DCJ will gain the approval on the researcher’s behalf from the study’s Human Research Ethics Committees. For all other projects, researchers are required to gain ethics from their institution as part of the application to access the data. - Sign DCJ Research Agreement:
Approved researchers are required to sign a DCJ Research Agreement. - Apply for SURE workspace:
POCLS confidentialised unit record data are stored in the Secure Unified Research Environment (SURE) at the Sax Institute. The Sax Institute manages access applications and the granting of SURE licenses for POCLS data users.
DCJ will complete a Workspace Application Form on the researcher’s behalf to access the data in SURE. - SURE agreement for provision of the project folder:
A standard agreement for SURE access is prepared by the Sax Institute and the researcher will countersign. - Access to data and data user resources:
Approved researchers will be provided with data in SURE, as well as information about data user resources, training, support and publication guidelines. - Publications:
All publications using POCLS data will be reviewed by DCJ, data custodians and ethics committees prior to publishing. All POCLS publications and journal articles will be available on the webpage at POCLS publications.
Data user training
Approved researchers are required to undertake data user training before they can access POCLS data in SURE.
To request data user training please email Pathways@facs.nsw.gov.au
Secure Unified Research Environment (SURE)
The Secure Unified Research Environment (SURE), is a secure computing environment at the Sax Institute that approved POCLS researchers can log in to remotely to analyse POCLS data. Visit the SURE homepage for more information or contact the SURE team.
Technical support
There are several Technical Papers in POCLS publications to assist data users in their analysis of the POCLS data. Please refer to these in developing your research and data analysis plan.
List of DCJ funded POCLS projects
For POCLS publications please go to POCLS publications page.
| Lead researcher | Institution | Topic | Publishing date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian Institute for Family Studies | Australian Institute for Family Studies | Baseline Statistical Report (Wave 1) | 2015 |
| 2 | Professor Judy Cashmore | University of Sydney | Children’s Family Relationships in Out-of-Home Care (Waves 1-2) | 2017 |
| 3 | Professor Paul Delfabbro | University of Adelaide | Relative/kinship and foster care: A comparison of carer and child characteristics (Wave 1) | 2017 |
| 4 | Dr Fred Wulczyn | Chapin Hall Centre for Children University of Chicago | Placement stability (Wave 1-2) | 2017 |
| 5 | Professor Ilan Katz | Social Policy Research Centre, University of NSW | Child and carer needs and services (Wave 1-2) | 2019 |
| 6 | Dr Fred Wulczyn | Chapin Hall Centre for Children University of Chicago | Exits from out-of-home care (Waves 1-3) | 2019 |
| 7 | Professor Judy Cashmore | University of Sydney | Children’s Family Relationships in Out-of-Home Care (Waves 1-3) | 2021 |
| 8 | Professor Paul Delfabbro | University of Adelaide | Relative/kinship and foster care: A comparison of carer and child characteristics (Waves 1-3) | 2020 |
| 9 | Professor Paul Delfabbro | University of Adelaide | Aboriginal children and young people in out-of-home care (Waves 1-3) | 2018 |
| 10 | Professor Ilan Katz | Social Policy Research Centre, University of NSW | Casework support (Wave 1-3) | 2020 |
| 11 | Dr Michelle Townsend | University of Wollongong | Educational outcomes of children and young people in out-of-home care (Waves 1-3) | 2020 |
| 12 | Settlement Services International, DCJ, Professor Paul Delfabbro & Professor Judy Cashmore | Collaboration | Culturally and linguistically diverse children and young people on out-of-home care (Waves 1-3) | 2021 |
| 13 | Professor Raghu Lingam | School of Women’s and Children’s Health Faculty of Medicine, University of NSW | Pathways of Change: optimising the mental health of children in OOHC | 2023 |
| 14 | Dr BJ Newton | Social Policy Research Centre, University of NSW | Understanding the influential factors and outcomes of restoration from out-of-home care for aboriginal children | 2023 |
| 15 | Dr Miriam Maclean | Social Policy Research Centre, University of NSW | Investigation of care experiences and support associated with positive educational outcomes: evidence for improving educational trajectories for children in care | 2023 |
| 16 | Associate Professor Rebecca Mitchell | Australian Institute of Health Innovation | Exploring the impact of child and placement characteristics, carer resources and perceptions, and life stressors on caregiving. | 2022 |
| 17 | Dr Aino Suomi | Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University | Patterns of family contact for children in care: how can we better support birth family relationships for children over time? | 2023 |
| 18 | Dr Anne-Marie Laslett | La Trobe University | Substance use by young people, their parents and carers: outcomes for young people in and beyond out-of-home-care. | 2023 |
| 19 | Dr Catherine Wade | Parenting Research Centre | Mapping the trajectories for children and young people in out-of-home care in NSW. | 2023 |
| 20 | Dr Melissa O’Donnell | Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia | Infants entering care: developmental needs and care trajectories. | 2023 |
| 21 | Dr Kath McFarlane | Kath McFarlane Consulting Pty Ltd | Offending youth, their families and pathways of care. | 2023 |
| 22 | Professor Massimiliano Tani | School of Business, University of NSW Canberra | Children with disability in the POCLS – wellbeing and outcomes. | 2023 |
23 | Professor Sandra Eades | Indigenous, Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne | Supporting the mental health of Aboriginal children in OOHC and leaving OOHC. | Underway |
24 | Dr Phillipa Evans | School of Social Sciences, University of NSW | Exploring the experiences of Aboriginal girls that go missing from OOHC and have contact with the justice system | Underway |
25 | Elder Ted Fields | Uraah Innovations and Cultural Services, University of NSW | Exploring the cultural health and care gap among Aboriginal children. | Underway |
26 | Dr Wendy Hermeston | ALIVE National Centre for Mental Health Research Translation, Melbourne Medical School, Department of General Practice. University of Melbourne | Examining cultural continuity and stability of Aboriginal children. | Underway |
27 | Dr Emily Hindman | Bimiirr Darrundaygu Psychology and Research Centre, Coffs Harbour NSW | Understandings the factors influencing the neurodevelopmental trajectory and poor outcomes of Aboriginal children. | Underway |
28 | Professor Marcia Langton | Indigenous Studies Unit, Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne | Configuring an Indigenous data ecosystem: Aboriginal children in OOHC. | Underway |
29 | Dr BJ Newton | Social Policy Research Centre, University of NSW | Understanding the potential impact of carers on the experiences and outcomes of Aboriginal children. | Underway |
30 | Dr BJ Newton | Social Policy Research Centre, University of NSW | Exploring how parental and family characteristics influence child protection reporting and removal of Aboriginal children under two years. | Underway |
31 | Dr Natalie Strobel | Centre for Improving Health Services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Families, Edith Cowan University | Developing profiles to support the restoration of Aboriginal children to their families. | Underway |
32 | Dr Natalie Strobel | Centre for Improving Health Services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Families, Edith Cowan University | Describing primary health care utilisation and medication uptake amongst Aboriginal children | Underway |
Please see all POCLS research and statistical reports.
Details of DCJ priority policy areas PDF, 2503.02 KB.
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