Metadata for DCJ quarterly statistical report on services for children and young people
Quarterly report – the latest is June 2021. Each report shows data going back to the same quarter, last year.
Responding to child and young person concern reports
- Concern reports - Child and young person concern reports received from reporter agencies and how these reports were classified
- Concern reports – What were the primary Helpline reported issues reported from mandatory reporter agencies?
- Concern reports – How many children and young people were involved in child and young person concern reports?
- ROSH reports – Assessment of child and young person concern reports to determine if they meet the statutory threshold of risk of significant harm (ROSH)
- ROSH reports – Determining a response time for ROSH reports from mandatory and non-mandatory reporters
- ROSH reports – How many children and young people were involved in ROSH reports?
- Contacts - Child and young person contacts by mandatory reporters to the DCJ Child Protection Helpline
- Assessment response – Assessment response for children and young people involved in ROSH reports
Measure – Concern reports - Child and young person concern reports received from reporter agencies and how these reports were classified
Description
This refers to the total number of child and young person concern reports received in the quarter. It also counts the number of child and young person concern reports classified under the response category of ROSH, Forward for info/action or No response required.
A child and young person concern report relates to the initial contact made at the Child Protection Helpline from mandatory or non-mandatory reporters who have reasonable grounds to suspect a child or young person is at risk of significant harm (ROSH) and has current concerns about the safety, welfare or wellbeing of the child/young person. Child and young person concern reports are then assessed to determine whether the threshold of significant harm is reached.
A child/young person may be subjected to multiple reports.
The child and young person concern report is classified according to whether the report meets the ROSH threshold or is assessed as requiring no further response at that point in time or alternatively can be forwarded for information or other action. Reports that do not meet the ROSH threshold are assessed as requiring no response at that point in time.
Publisher
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
- Reporter agency
- Reporter type
- Helpline assessment outcome
Data Limitations
Nil
Data Source
KiDS – Client Information Warehouse (CIW) for data before 2017-18.
ChildStory/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data after 2017-18.
Measure – Concern reports – What were the primary Helpline reported issues reported from mandatory reporter agencies?
Description
This refers to the total number of children and young person concern reports from mandatory reporters in the quarter.
Mandatory reporters are required under section 27 of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 to make a report to DCJ if they suspect that a child is at risk of harm (as detailed in section 23 of the Act).
When a report is made about concerns that a child is at risk of significant harm, the Child Protection Helpline caseworkers record the primary and up to two other issues associated with risk of significant harm.
TAFE NSW was part of NSW Education until the end of 2014-15. From 2016, TAFE NSW is grouped under "other mandatory reporter" category.
Publisher
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
- Reporter agency
- Reporter type
- Primary Helpline assessed issue
Data Limitations
Nil
Data Source
KiDS – Client Information Warehouse (CIW) for data before 2017-18.
ChildStory/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data after 2017-18.
Measure - ROSH reports – Assessment of child and young person concern reports to determine if they meet the statutory threshold of risk of significant harm (ROSH)
Description
This refers to the total number of concern reports meeting the statutory threshold of risk of significant harm (ROSH) during the quarter.
In assessing a child/young person concern report to determine if it meets the statutory threshold of risk of significant harm, caseworkers in Child Protection Helpline apply the Structured Decision Making (SDM) Screening and Response Priority (SCRPT) tools to reports to determine the level of response category.
A primary reported issue about a concern report is recorded as well as two other secondary issues.
Publisher
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
- Primary Helpline assessed issue
Data Limitations
Nil
Data Source
KiDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data before 2017-18.
ChildStory/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data after 2017-18.
Measure – ROSH reports – Determining a response time for ROSH reports from mandatory and non-mandatory reporters
Description
This refers to the total number of ROSH reports received and screened to be responded under the response time of Less than 24 hours, Less than 72 hours or Less than 10 days at the Child Protection Helpline during the quarter.
The response time relates to the Child Protection Helpline’s assessment of reports meeting the ROSH threshold to determine how quickly an investigation should be initiated by child protection caseworkers.
TAFE NSW was part of NSW Education until the end of 2014-15. From 2016, TAFE NSW is grouped under "other mandatory reporter" category.
Publisher
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
- Reporter agency
- Reporter type
- Response priority
Data Limitations
Nil
Data Source
KiDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data before 2017-18.
ChildStory/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data after 2017-18.
Measure – Concern reports – How many children and young people were involved in child and young person concern reports?
Description
This refers to the total number of unique children and young people involved in child and young person concern reports during the quarter.
The number of children and young people are unique for the quarter only.
Publisher
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
Nil
Data Limitations
Nil
Data Source
KiDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data before 2017-18.
ChildStory/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data after 2017-18.
Measure – ROSH reports – How many children and young people were involved in ROSH reports?
Description
This refers to the total number of unique children and young people involved in ROSH reports during the quarter.
The number of children and young people are unique for the quarter only.
Publisher
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
- Aboriginality
Data Limitations
Nil
Data Source
KiDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data before 2017-18.
ChildStory/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data after 2017-18.
Measure – Contacts - Child and young person concern contacts by mandatory reporters to the DCJ Child Protection Helpline
Description
This refers to the total number of child and young person concern contacts made by mandatory reporters to the DCJ Child Protection Helpline in the quarter.
A child or young person contact is based on unique contact recorded on DCJ client information system, where the primary contact reason was “reporting concern about a child or young person”.
A contact record is used to record information received by DCJ and may relate to one or more persons.
A contact record may record information provided in one or more calls/faxes/eReports. A single call/fax/eReport may result in multiple contact records.
TAFE NSW was part of NSW Education until the end of 2014-15. From 2016, TAFE NSW is grouped under "other mandatory reporter" category.
Reports that do not meet the ROSH threshold are assessed as requiring no response at that point in time. Due to the introduction of ChildStory, data for this breakdown after 2017-18 is not available.
As a child may be reported by more than one reporter type throughout the year, the categories presented are not mutually exclusive.
Publisher
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
- Reporter agency
- Reporter type
- Assessment outcome (Due to the introduction of ChildStory, data for this breakdown after 2017-18 is not available.)
Data Limitations
Nil
Data Source
KiDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data before 2017-18.
ChildStory/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data after 2017-18.
Measure – Assessment response – Assessment response for children and young people involved in ROSH reports.
Description
This refers to the total number of unique ROSH reported children and young people receiving a statuary child protection response during the quarter.
Children and young people are counted against the highest level of service or assessment received at any time during the quarter. Where Children and young people received more than one assessment they are counted against the highest assessment in the quarter.
The statutory child protection response for children and young people involved in ROSH reports can be Office-based assessments (SAS1) or Face-to-face assessments (SAS2/SARA). In some scenarios, Further assessment not required may be the response.
Due to the introduction of ChildStory, the ‘children seen’ service measure has been used to better capture caseworkers’ efforts to assist vulnerable children and young people and their families. There has been a change in the definition of ‘children at ROSH seen by DCJ’, with more stringent requirements introduced by ChildStory in 2017-18. There are more steps undertaken by caseworkers to record the work they do to meet the definition of “seen”, in particular that a manager must now give formal approval. Previously, NSW had a differential investigation response whereby an investigation can be undertaken over two stages (stage 1 - information gathering; stage 2 - assessment). Data for ‘Children Seen’ are not comparable to data on investigations and assessments published previously (e.g.: face-to-face assessments). Hence, this service measure is not reported after 2017-18.
Publisher
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
Highest assessment received
Data Limitations
There are a number of children and young people receiving other child protection services from DCJ, other government departments and non-government organisation during the period for which data is unavailable. DCJ is working to better capture data on these clients.
Data Source
KiDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW)
Keeping children and young people safe
- Children in care - Children and young people entering care during the quarter
- Children in care – How many children and young people exited OOHC (out-of-home care) during the quarter
- Children in care – Children and young people in need of care and protection by placement provider
- Children in care - Placement of children and young people in need of care and protection
- Early intervention services – Reducing the risk of children and young people being removed from their families and placed in OOHC
Measure – Children in care - Children and young people entering care during the quarter
Description
This refers to the total number of unique children and young people entering OOHC during the quarter. This includes children and young people re-entering care during the quarter and those entering care for the first time ever.
Publisher
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
- Age at entry (calculated at entry)
Data Limitations
Nil
Data Source
KiDS/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data before 2017-18.
ChildStory/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data after 2017-18.
Measure – Children in care – How many children and young people exited OOHC during the quarter?
Description
This refers to the total number of children and young people exiting OOHC during the quarter.
There are a number of ways in which a child/young person leaves OOHC. These include:
- A young person reaching the age of 18 years
- The expiration or rescission of the Care Order
- Transition to independent living and after care support
- Restoration to the family
- The granting of a Sole Parental Responsibility Order
- Granting of an Adoption Order, or
- The child or young person moving to another jurisdiction.
Publisher
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
- Age at exit (age is calculated at exit date)
Data Limitations
Nil
Data Source
KiDS/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data before 2017-18.
ChildStory/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data after 2017-18.
Measure – Children in care - Children and young people in need of care and protection by placement provider
Description
This refers to the total number of children and young people in statutory OOHC as at quarter end.
Children and young people in statutory OOHC reflects placement provider, not case management.
Publisher
NSW Department of Family and Community Services
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
- Aboriginality
- Placement provider
Data Limitations
Nil
Data Source
KiDS/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data before 2017-18.
ChildStory/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data after 2017-18.
Measure – Children in care - Placement of children and young people in need of care and protection
Description
This refers to the total number of children and young people in OOHC as at quarter end by placement type.
Publisher
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
- Placement type
Data Limitations
Nil
Data Source
KiDS/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data before 2017-18.
ChildStory/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data after 2017-18.
Measure – Early Intervention services – Reducing the risk of children and young people being removed from their families and placed in OOHC
Description
This refers to the total number of children and young people participating in Intensive Family Preservation services.
Family Preservation Services are intensive in nature with service provision for a short period of time and service delivery coordinated and provided by non-government organisations in the home or the community. They offer a broad range of support services that meets the assessed needs of families and children.
Due to the introduction of ChildStory, reporting on Intensive Family Preservation services in 2017-18 is not available.
Publisher
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
- Aboriginality is measured where one of the family members identifies as an Aboriginal person
Data Limitations
Nil
Data Source
KiDS/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW)
Stable and nurturing environments for children and young people
- Children in care – Better placements and matching for children and young people in care
- Children on guardianship orders – Alternate permanent placements solutions for children and young people in need of care and protection
- Children in care – Placement of Aboriginal children and young people with extended family
- Early intervention services – Reinforcing child safety, parent capacity and family functioning
Measure - Children in care – Better placements and matching for children and young people in care
Description
This refers to the total number of children and young people in OOHC with fewer than three placements at quarter end.
Placement stability is indicated by the length of time a child or young person has spent in OOHC and the number of distinct placements during their care period.
Excluded from the counts are:
- Placements where the child or young person has returned to a previous carer; and
- Children and young people who had a non-permanent placement for less than 7 days.
Publisher
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
Nil
Data Limitations
Nil
Data Source
KiDS/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data before 2017-18.
ChildStory/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data after 2017-18.
Measure - Children on guardianship orders – Alternate permanent placement solutions for children and young people in need of care and protection
Description
This refers to the total number of children and young people on guardianship orders as at quarter end.
Guardianship orders aim to provide greater stability for children and young people when the Children’s Court makes a decision that they cannot live with their parents.
The placement and legal record of the child and young person is used to ascertain the number of children and young people on guardianship orders.
From October 2014, a guardianship order can be made to the Children’s Court for a child or young person who is in statutory out-of-home care or supported out-of-home care. Under a guardianship order, a guardian takes on full parental responsibility of the child or young person, making all decisions about their care until they reach 18 years of age. A child or young person under a guardianship order is not considered to be in foster care or out-of-home care but in the independent care of their guardian.
Publisher
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
- Age group (calculated as at end of quarter)
- Aboriginality
Data Limitations
Nil
Data Source
KiDS/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data before 2017-18.
ChildStory/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data after 2017-18.
Measure – Children in care – Placement of Aboriginal children and young people with extended family
Description
This refers to the total number of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and young people in OOHC who were in the care of a relative or Aboriginal carer at quarter end as a percentage of the total number of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and young people in OOHC at quarter end.
The Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 recognises the importance of placing Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and young people with family or other Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. The preferred order specified in section 13 of the Act is (subject to the safety of the child): the child's extended family or kinship group; the child's Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community; or other Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, whenever possible.
Publisher
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
The total number of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and young people in OOHC who were in the care of a relative or Aboriginal carer as at quarter end.
Denominator
The total number of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and young people in OOHC as at quarter end.
Data Filters
Nil
Data Limitations
Nil
Data Source
KiDS/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data before 2017-18.
ChildStory/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW) for data after 2017-18.
Measure – Early intervention services – Reinforcing child safety, parent capacity and family functioning
Description
This refers to the total number of families, children and young people who are in the Brighter Futures program (engaged or participating) as at quarter end.
Brighter Futures is an early intervention program targeting the families of children who are at high risk of entering the statutory child protection system. Prior to July 2014, the target group was focused on those families who do not meet the ROSH threshold. From July 2014 the target group expanded to include eligible children and families where the ROSH threshold has been met.
The Brighter Futures program is delivered by non-government agencies.
The engagement stage applies when a Brighter Futures worker has been allocated to work with a family and is building trust and rapport to obtain the cooperation of the family and encourage participation in the program.
A family is considered 'in program' once the family has formally agreed to participate.
This measure counts both engaged and participating.
A family is counted as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander when at least one of the children in the family is Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
Due to the introduction of ChildStory, reporting on Brighter Futures after 2017-18 is not available.
Publisher
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
- Children/Family
- Aboriginality
Data Limitations
A child can belong to more than one family group. Where this occurs, a child will be counted more than once.
Data Source
KiDS/MDS - Corporate Information Warehouse (CIW)