A 'stock and flow' analysis of Australian child protection data

Abstract

While the number and rate of children in out-of-home care in Australia has increased significantly in recent years, the number of children entering care each year has decreased in many jurisdictions. This highlights the need to consider both prevalence and incidence (also known as “stock and flow”) data in understanding trends in the care system. Such analyses provide a more accurate and dynamic picture of the current system drivers. The main reason for the trend of rising prevalence alongside stable incidence rates at entry to care is the increasing length of time children stay in care.