The New South Wales Child Development Study (NSW-CDS) is a longitudinal research project tracking the development of over 91,000 children in New South Wales from birth to adulthood. The main aim of the NSW-CDS is to provide evidence to enable improvement in the mental health and wellbeing of all Australian children. 

This evidence brief summarises the key findings from the NSW-CDS to support evidence-based decision-making for policy development, program design and practice in the child and family sector. The brief also includes infographics that staff can use in presentations and communication materials.

Findings highlight opportunities for improved early intervention and comprehensive support systems for vulnerable children and their families particularly those with any contact with child protection services. By adopting an integrated, family-centred approach that focuses on early intervention and targeted supports, the government can better address the complex needs of vulnerable children. 

Key findings

• By age 18 years, one in three young people in the study had some contact with child protection services, with one in four meeting the threshold for a risk-of-significant-harm report.
• Children in the study cohort who had contact with child protection services or were in out-of-home care consistently had poorer outcomes across a range of domains than their peers who had no contact.
• Many young people in contact with child protection services show signs of resilience.
• By age 13 years, one in 10 children who were known to child protection services had a diagnosis of mental disorder.
• By age 17 years, 5,212 young people (5.7% of the NSW-CDS sample) had recorded service contacts for self-harm or thoughts about suicide.