About the Quality Assurance Framework

The Quality Assurance Framework (QAF) collects key information on how a child is going in out of home care (OOHC), to ensure we give every child in care the best possible experience. Regular information comes from children and carers via questionnaires.

The QAF provides a simple way to continuously review and improve our work with vulnerable children, families and carers, using reliable information about the safety, permanency and wellbeing of children in OOHC.

Benefits of the QAF

The QAF supports:

• the collection and analysis of data, to guide casework decisions leading to improved outcomes
• a holistic view of the child to inform casework practice
• consistency of information across the sector, which travels with the child
• case planning – identify areas of need
• assessment of what works
• linkage of standards with outcomes to support Permanency Support Program and accreditation.

How does the QAF work?

The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and Child and Young Person Questionnaire are used to gather information from carers as well as children and young people every six months. Caseworkers use this information to prompt conversations and tailor casework to support an uplift in outcomes. Questions are age appropriate and cover areas such as emotional and psychological wellbeing, cultural and spiritual identity and social functioning.

More information can be found in the General Use QAF – Executive Summary  – Questionnaires.  (PDF, 622.4 KB)

Where the QAF has been successful

The QAF was fully designed and trialled in NSW and found to be a useful tool to collect information about children and young people in OOHC and improve their life outcomes. Case studies can be accessed here.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank trial and implementation sites; 

• Burrun Dalai Aboriginal Corporation Incorporated
• Key Assets
• MacKillop Family Services
• DCJ Mid North Coast District 
• Parenting Research Centre

For their ongoing commitment to the development of the QAF. Their participation in the trial has been extremely beneficial and has informed the design, systems and processes which support the QAF. 

Next Steps

To expand the QAF across NSW we need to undertake further work around automating the tool. This will take time. While this work is being undertaken, OOHC agencies are able to use the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Child and Young Person Questionnaire and resources to support their casework. 

For more information see General Use QAF – Executive Summary – Questionnaires. (PDF, 622.4 KB)