This Pathways of Care Longitudinal Study (POCLS) statistical report provides a summary of the data collected in the Caseworker Survey conducted as part of the POCLS. The purpose of this report is to provide a useful reference point for policy officers, frontline workers and researchers. The Pathways of Care Longitudinal Study (POCLS) is funded and managed by the New South Wales Department of Family and Community Services (FACS). It is the first large-scale prospective longitudinal study of children and young people in out-of-home care (OOHC) in Australia. Information on safety, permanency and wellbeing is being collected from various sources. The child developmental domains of interest are physical health, socio-emotional wellbeing and cognitive/learning ability. 

To date, four waves of data collection have been undertaken at 18-24 month intervals. By the end of Wave 5 which commenced in April 2019, the POCLS will have 10 years of in-depth data on children’s OOHC experiences. Wave 1 interviewing was conducted June 2011 - August 2013 with 1,285 children and carers participating. Wave 2 was conducted April 2013 – March 2015 with 1,200 participants. Wave 3 was conducted October 2014 – July 2016 with 1,033 participants. Wave 4 was conducted May 2017 – November 2018 with 961 participants. The caseworker surveys were completed between October 2014 and June 2016 as a part of Wave 3 of the POCLS. The survey was conducted on-line and completed by the OOHC caseworker who was nominated to best know the child. This included caseworkers from both FACS and non-government organisations (NGOs), depending on where the child was placed.