Footprints in Time - The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC) is collecting important information about the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, covering areas such as:
- health
- culture
- education
- housing
- family relationships.
The study is designed to determine how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children develop resilience, what helps to improve their wellbeing and future, and to recognise links between early childhood experiences and later life outcomes.
The study follows the development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children across Australia and includes urban, regional and remote locations. The data collection for Wave 1 began in April 2008 and finished in January 2009. Over 1,800 interviews were conducted with a parent or primary carer of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child, usually the mother, and over 265 interviews were conducted with fathers or other significant carers.
The parents and carers of two groups of children, aged between 6 to 18 months and 3½ - 4½ years in Wave 1, were interviewed. With parental or guardian permission, questionnaires were also given to each child's teacher or childcare provider to complete. These same children and their carers will be interviewed each year to measure their progress.
What is the purpose of the study?
The aim of the study is to improve the understanding of, and policy response to, the diverse circumstances faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, their families and communities.
Footprints in Time will provide a data resource that can be drawn on by:
- Australian governments
- researchers
- service providers
- parents
- communities.
What are the research questions guiding the study?
- What do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children need to have the best start in life to grow up strong?
- What helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to stay on track or get them back on track to become healthy, positive and strong?
- What is the importance of family, extended family and community in the early years of life and when growing up?
- How are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children raised?
The data will provide information for communities, governments and service providers to design, request funding for and implement:
- early intervention programs to support young children and their families to have the best start in life
- for culturally appropriate childcare, health centres, preschools, sports and education programs
- for programs to support parents, health services, parenting and education programs, housing and prevention programs
- provide culturally appropriate policy and services.
The research questions were formulated under the guidance of the LSIC Steering Committee. The Committee also provides advice in the following areas:
- the research model design and implementation
- community engagement processes and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and peoples
- ensuring ethical and cultural protocols are adhered to in the study
- data analysis, interpretation and reporting
- use of the data collected in the study by governments, researchers and communities in improving policy and service delivery issues.
Who is undertaking the study?
Interviews are primarily conducted by FaHCSIA-employed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Administration Officers. Interviews are also conducted by other FaHCSIA staff and experienced Roy Morgan Research interviewers. The information collected is the property of FaHCSIA.
How do I access data and information from the study?
The official public release of Wave 1 data will be in August 2009. Wave 1 information will be an important contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research and may be used to develop practical and effective policies and programs to close the gap of disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
Researchers wishing to access the data set will be able to apply to do so from August 2009. Access will be managed by FaHCSIA and licences provided for approved applicants, in a similar way to FaHCSIA's other longitudinal data sets (the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey and the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children).
The Vision for 2009
Wave 2 data collection commenced in March 2009. The content for Wave 2 was piloted in Brisbane, Wagga Wagga and Mount Isa in late 2008. Wave 2 asks questions about starting school for the older cohort and re-visits a number of areas covered in Wave 1, including social and emotional wellbeing, major life events, child vocabulary, child health and development, and housing issues.
Footprints in Time will also undertake some qualitative research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities in 2009 in order to provide a more holistic view of the lives and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children