Child protection contact among children of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds: a South Australian linked data study

Abstract

Aim To determine the cumulative incidence of child protection (CP) system contact, maltreatment type, source of reports up to age 7, and sociodemographic characteristics for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Australian children. Methods A South Australian (SA) whole-of-population linked administrative data study of children followed from birth up to age 7, using child protection, education, health, and birth registrations data. Participants: SA born children enrolled in their first year of school from 2009-2015 (N = 76 563). CALD defined as non-Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, spoken language other than English, Indigenous or Sign, or had at least one parent born in a non-English speaking country. Outcomes measures: For CALD and non-CALD children the cumulative incidence of CP reports up to age 7, relative risk and risk differences for all CP contact (reporting through to out-of-home care (OOHC)) and age, primary maltreatment type, reporter type, and socioeconomic characteristics were estimated. Sensitivity analyses explored population selection and different CALD definitions. Results By age 7, 11.2% of CALD children were screened in compared to 18.8% of non-CALD (RD 7.6 percentage points (95% CI: 6.9-8.3)), and 0.6% of CALD children experienced OOHC compared to 2.2% of non-CALD (RD 1.6 percentage points (95% CI: 1.3-1.8)). Among both groups, most common abuse type was emotional and the most common reporter types were police and education sector. Socioeconomic characteristics were broadly similar. Sensitivity analyses results were consistent with primary analyses. Conclusion By age 7, contact with any level of child protection was lower for CALD compared to non-CALD children. Estimates based on primary and sensitivity analyses suggested CALD children were 5 to 9 percentage points less likely have a report screened-in, and from 1.0 to 1.7 percentage points less likely to have experienced OOHC.