Trends and issues in the out-of-home care of children in Australia

Abstract

The recent publication of out-of-home care data by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has enabled an analysis of placement trends for the three year period 1993-1996. Significant findings include a marked increase in overall numbers of children placed into care, a decline in the use of residential / group care, and a continuing high rate of placement for indigenous children. The findings are considered in the context of longer term placement trends and comparative data from Europe and the USA.