In September 2023, the NSW Advocate for Children and Young People established a special inquiry into children and young people in alternative care arrangements (ACAs) (which includes the use of hotels, motels and other settings for emergency out-of-home care (OOHC) placements) to understand the experiences of those children and young people in their own words.

The purpose of this interim report is to set out a summary of what the Advocate has heard to date, in relation to the experiences of children and young people in ACAs, as well as to outline themes, trends, and common issues that have emerged.

Key themes explored in the report include:

• Safety and quality of care
• Stability and communication
• Access to supports and services
• Connection to family, friends, community and culture.