This Evidence to Action Note, published by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, summarises key findings from the NSW Child Development Study’s (NSW-CDS) research about the impact of maltreatment of children before entry to school on mental health outcomes in middle childhood.

These findings reinforce the importance of multidisciplinary programs that support children’s mental health needs. All children in statutory OOHC should participate in the OOHC Health Pathway to receive timely health, assessment, intervention, monitoring and review of their health needs. These findings can be used to improve how we identify and respond to families and children at risk of poor outcomes.