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Media handout

MEDIA INFORMATION: 31 MARCH 2023 CHILD AND FAMILY PERFORMANCE STATISTICS

A media handout for March 2023 data is available for download.

COVID-19 IMPACT

  • The data for the 12 months to 31 March 2023 data includes impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic (from April 2020 onwards).
  • Demand for family support and child protection services increased throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

FAMILY SUPPORT

  • Queensland’s family support services continue to provide families with the necessary supports and referrals to keep children safe at home.
  • Family and Child Connect received 30,410 enquiries in the year ending 31 March 2023. 
  • 3,648 (12.0 per cent) of enquiries received were for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and 26,762 (88.0 per cent) were for non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in the year ending 31 March 2023.
  • Intensive Family Support services provided 4,547 families with support to address needs and assist families to build their capacity to care for and protect their children in the year ending 31 March 2023. 1,209 (26.6 per cent) were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and 3,338 (73.4 per cent) were non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
  • 4,249 families received support from a Family Wellbeing Service in the year ending 31 March 2023, improving the wellbeing and safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, children, and young people.

CHILD PROTECTION

  • 32,599 notifications required investigation in the year ending 31 March 2023, a 7.5 per cent increase compared to the same period last year (31,244).
  • The number of investigations commenced by Child Safety in the last year is up by 1.2 per cent (28,158 in total). This is 342 more investigations commenced by Child Safety when compared to the same period last year. This included 4,432 notifications with a 24-hour priority, 8.5 per cent more than this time last year. 
  • We continue to prioritise our most urgent cases. For investigations with a 24-hour priority – 93.5 per cent were commenced on time.
  • The number of investigations finalised by Child Safety in the last year is up by 6.0 per cent (27,858 in total). This is 1,583 more investigations finalised by Child Safety when compared to the same period last year. 
  • The number of children in care increased to 11,626 as at 31 March 2023. This is a 2.9 per cent increase (327 children) compared to the same period last year. This latest data compares to an increase of 3.4 per cent over the year ending 31 March 2022 and an 7.3 per cent increase over the year ending 31 March 2021. 
  • 47.1 per cent of all children in care are placed with kin. This is an increase compared to last year (46.8 per cent) and an increase from 10 years ago (36.3 per cent).
  • When a family is unable to care for their children safely at home, Queenslanders are continuing to step up to become foster and kinship carers. Over the last year 1,562 families stepped up to be carers for the first time. In total there were 6,069 carer families as at 31 March 2023, up from 5,971 a year ago.
  • We are always looking for more foster carers. Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer should call the Foster Care Recruitment Line on 1300 550 877, visit www.fcq.com.au or www.qld.gov.au/community/caring-child/foster-kinship-care/ or contact one of Queensland's many foster care support agencies directly.
  • Caseloads for child safety officers are 15.8 cases per full-time equivalent child safety officer.