Care Arrangements

Operational data

Operational data is primarily used by the Department to internally monitor operations and may inform adequate staffing and resourcing decisions.

Operational data has not been through a rigorous data cleansing process, and as such there is a margin of error to be considered when reviewing the data. Data is indicative only – providing information about trends, themes, emerging issues or areas requiring attention.

This data is not comparable to previously released corporate data. This data is also unlikely to match corporate data to be released later in 2026.

Once more contemporary corporate data is released, operational data will no longer be available.

This report has been developed using operational data, to provide an overview of performance and demand, and should be treated as indicative only. Operational data should be interpreted and used with caution and understanding of limitations outlined in caveats and data interpretation notes.

Children in Foster & Kinship and Residential Care

Care arrangements

Footnotes and caveats

  • Data is as at 18 February 2026.

Data interpretation notes

  • When the Childrens Court grants custody or guardianship of a child to the chief executive (Director-General) of the department, it is the department's responsibility to find an appropriate care arrangement for the child.
  • The department uses various care arrangements for the children in its care including family-based care (foster, kinship and provisionally approved carers) and residential care services.
  • Reflects the point-in-time situation as at 18 February 2026.
  • Data exclusions: Where children have multiple current and active care arrangement cases, only one has been retained (i.e. one child = one care arrangement case). Excludes children aged 18+, excludes cases where the child is subject to a Permanent Care Order, excludes cases where the child is subject to any intervention aside from a Child Protection Order.