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The QAF was adapted from the US Child Wellbeing Framework developed by the Obama Administration (DHHS, 2012) Framework of Wellbeing of Older Youth in Foster Care (Hanson, Langford and Badeau, 2013) by the Parenting Research Centre and University of Melbourne in 2015. The framework (PDF, 315.1 KB) did not include Cultural and Spiritual Identity which was designed by DCJ. The stages of design and implementation of the QAF since 2015 can be found here.
Developing the QAF from a theoretical model to a sector wide tool has been a multifaceted, large-scale program of work. Extensive stakeholder engagement has been necessary as no one team has the depth of knowledge around broad reaching elements of the OOHC system. This has meant it has taken time to ensure it is fit for purpose, across multiple agency settings.
Thank you to the trial sites who gave up their time to participate in the trial. Their valuable knowledge and experience has been extremely beneficial and has informed the design, systems and processes which support the QAF. We could not have done this without them.
Design of the Child Overview, Cultural and Spiritual Identity Domain, Child and Young Person Questionnaire and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for carers are finalised.
Implementation of the Questionnaires and the Child Overview at trial sites is complete. Due to the complexity of data collection the production of the Child Over view has been placed on hold. The Children and young Person Questionnaire (CYPQ) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for carers are available for all OOHC providers in NSW
The Child Overview is a summary of outcomes data for an individual child or young person. Information is organised in domain areas of Safety, Permanency and Wellbeing. When the QAF system is integrated into ChildStory a Child Overview will be produced at the end of each quarter with outcomes summaries from that period. This information is used to inform casework practice, to draw focus on emerging areas of need, and over time support a shift from reactive to proactive casework.
It is envisaged each child and young person in OOHC will have Child Overviews produced while in care. Due to the complexity of data collection the production of the Child Over view has been placed on hold.
Sample Child Overview can be found here (PDF, 470.9 KB).
During the design and implementation of the QAF, a number of case studies were developed to illustrate the benefits of the QAF and how the information has been used to improve the outcomes of Children in OOHC.
Michael – Case Study – school yard bullying (PDF, 348.6 KB)
Rafael – Case Study – importance of culture (PDF, 362.8 KB)
Lilly – Case Study – safe haven (PDF, 348.3 KB)
Sally – Case Study – placement (PDF, 345.3 KB)
Adam – Case study – culture and the QAF (PDF, 517.1 KB)
Billy - Case Study – recognising change (PDF, 353.0 KB)
Leonard - Case Study – evidence of change (PDF, 349.4 KB)
Aboriginal Cultural Connection Questionnaire (PDF, 388.6 KB)
Video – MacKillop Family Services 2017
This is an article from the ‘Journal of Adolescent Research’ with discussion and the list of questions. The MEIM comprises two factors: ethnic identity search (a developmental and cognitive component) and affirmation, belonging, and commitment (an affective component)
The Child Overview is a tool provided as a part of the NSW Quality Assurance Framework for Children and Young People in Out of Home Care
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Cultural and Spiritual Identity Forum for the Quality Assurance Framework for Statutory OOHC November 2016
Aboriginal Cultural and Spiritual Identity Forum for the Quality Assurance Framework for Statutory OOHC November 2016
A number of consultations were conducted with key stakeholders from the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG), DCJ, peak organisations and NGO service providers between July 2014 and March 2015.
NSW statutory out-of-home care: Quality Assurance Framework Section 1: Context and consultations Parenting Research Centre and University of Melbourne August 2015
NSW Statutory Out-Of-Home Care: Quality Assurance Framework Section 2: Narrative Review Parenting Research Centre and University of Melbourne August 2015
NSW Statutory Out‐Of‐Home care: Quality Assurance Framework Section 3: The Quality Assurance Framework QAF Parenting Research Centre and University of Melbourne August 2015
27 Feb 2023