Mental health care for children and young people in out-of-home care

Investigator

Lottie Harris, PhD candidate

Supervisors

• Principal Supervisor: Professor Daryl Higgins, Faculty of Education and Arts, Australian Catholic University
• Co-Supervisor: Associate Professor Megan Willis, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University
• External Supervisor: Associate Professor Divna Haslam, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland
• External Supervisor: Professor David Lawrence, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtain University
• End-user Supervisor: Gabrielle Duffy, Clinical Psychologist

Full title

Successful practices that improve health outcomes for children and young people in Australian out-of-home care who have experienced multi-type maltreatment

Aims

Lay the foundation for a comprehensive, evidence-informed pathway for practitioners to provide effective mental health support to children and young people in out-of-home care (OOHC).

Key objectives

• Analyse the relationship between maltreatment, OOHC experiences and mental health outcomes
• Identify common elements in mental health and OOHC research and practice that support positive mental health
• Develop evidence-informed recommendations for improving mental health practice in Australia for children and young people in OOHC.

Research questions and foreseen challenges

1. What is the scale of childhood maltreatment and the associated impact on the mental health of children and young people in Australian out-of-home care (OOHC)?
2. What are the critical policy and practice changes that must be taken to improve the mental health outcomes of children and young people in OOHC, given the scale and impact of child maltreatment?

Background

Children and young people in out-of-home care, as well as care-experienced adults, consistently face poor mental health outcomes. Evidence shows that current efforts to identify and address the highly complex mental health needs of this cohort are insufficient or ineffective. Barriers exist at societal, sectoral, organisational and individual levels. These barriers prevent children and young people in care from accessing or benefiting from mental health care that could greatly improve their wellbeing.

Practitioners supporting these children need clearer guidance and more accessible systems to effect meaningful change in mental health trajectories. However, without an integrated system of mental health care specialised to the needs of this group, practitioners are left with little useful direction to follow.

By exploring both the research and practitioner expertise, this project seeks to address this critical practice gap and enhance practitioners' ability to improve children and young people's mental health.

Project details

I invited practitioners working in the OOHC sector across Australia to share their insights into the essential elements of an integrated mental health care system for children and young people in OOHC. Various other stakeholders in the OOHC and child protection sectors informally consulted and contributed to this project.

Method

I adopted a mixed methods approach to this study that had two parts:

1. Quantitative: explored statistical associations between maltreatment, OOHC experience and mental health outcomes using nationally representative data from the Australian Child Maltreatment Study.
2. Qualitative: interviewed practitioners (see article with evidence summary used for recruitment), to explore their perspectives and experiences.

I intend for the data, results and implications of this project to culminate in some clear parameters or a framework for practice to enhance the overall wellbeing of this cohort via improving their mental health outcomes whilst in OOHC.

Projected community impact

The outcomes of this research project are likely going to be pertinent to policy makers, organisational leaders and practitioners across both the child protection/OOHC and mental health sectors. This practical project will deliver knowledge translation pieces for these various audiences.

At the policy level, this research will deliver a foundation from which an integrated national framework for mental health can be developed. The project will also outline some key practice recommendations aimed at supporting service providers in their decision-making regarding mental health care for children and young people in OOHC.

Long-term change is expected to result from this research project both at the systems level, but most importantly, for children and young people in OOHC. The aim is that their mental health is addressed proactively and effectively by all of the adults responsible for their care and wellbeing.

Links

Australian Child Maltreatment Study

Publications

Harris, L. G., Higgins, D. J., Willis, M. L., Lawrence, D., Mathews, B., Thomas, H. J., Pacella, R., Meinck, F., Finkelhor, D., Scott, J. G., Erskine, H. & Haslam, D. M. (2024). The prevalence and patterns of maltreatment, childhood adversity, and mental health disorders in an Australian out-of-home care sample. Child maltreatment. https://doi.org/10.1177/10775595241246534

Harris, L. G., Higgins, D. J., Willis, M. L., Lawrence, D., Meinck, F., Thomas, H. J., Malacova, E., Scott, J. G., Pacella, R., & Haslam, D. M. (2024b). Dimensions of child maltreatment in Australians with a history of out-of-home care. Child Maltreatment, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/10775595241297944

Ethics

Australian Catholic University Human Research Ethics Committee, application no. 2023-3399E

Project timeline

Jan 2022 to May 2025

Contact

For more information contact: icps@acu.edu.au