Queensland’s Youngest Facing Significant Developmental Hurdles
A stark new report has highlighted that a concerning proportion of Queensland’s children are falling behind in crucial developmental milestones, with nearly a quarter not meeting expected benchmarks by the time they start school. This disadvantage is closely linked to escalating issues of insecure housing and the persistent strain of tight family budgets.
The “Raising Queensland” report, authored by researchers at the University of Queensland, reveals a troubling upward trend in families struggling to secure safe and stable accommodation. Census data paints a grim picture, indicating that almost two in five individuals experiencing homelessness in Queensland are young people aged between 12 and 24.
Professor Karen Healy, the lead author of the report, presented the findings, noting that while 92 per cent of Queensland babies are within the normal developmental range at birth, this figure significantly declines to 76 per cent by the age of five. This means a substantial number of children are entering their formal education years already trailing in fundamental skills such as reading, writing, and language.
The Impact of Instability on Learning
Professor Healy elaborated on the multifaceted challenges these children face. “Children are also attending school without the basic sustenance that they need, such as not having a nutritious breakfast, and are also living in housing stress,” she stated. These fundamental deprivations create significant barriers, making it exceedingly difficult for young minds to concentrate and engage effectively in their learning journey.
The release of this critical report coincided with the launch of a collaborative campaign, also named “Raising Queensland,” spearheaded by 26 frontline social service organisations. This joint initiative aims to address the systemic issues contributing to the widespread disadvantage.
Personal Stories of Struggle
The human cost of this crisis is powerfully illustrated by the experiences of Queensland mothers. Karissa, a Brisbane resident, shared her family’s plight, having been living in crisis accommodation with her 13-year-old daughter since October. While awaiting the allocation of social housing, her daughter’s education has been severely impacted.
“She’s struggling in mainstream, so we’re trying to get into an alternative school at the moment, because she hasn’t been engaged in school… she goes and gets suspended,” Karissa explained, highlighting the cycle of disengagement and disciplinary action.
Another Brisbane mother, Linda Rose, recounted a two-year period where she and her young children resided in a motel before finally securing social housing. The absence of routine and consistent access to basic household amenities took a significant toll on her elder child’s education. “[Life in a hotel was] draining from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed… there’s just no routine,” she said.
The Long-Term Consequences of Early Disadvantage
Professor Healy underscored the long-term ramifications of failing to meet developmental milestones in early childhood. Children who do not meet these benchmarks are at a significantly higher risk of disengaging from school. Furthermore, those who become disengaged from education are disproportionately represented within the youth justice system, indicating a clear pathway from early disadvantage to later societal challenges.
Dr. Matt Hawkins, CEO of Edmund Rice, corroborated these concerns, observing a rise in disengagement levels. He pointed to research that links trauma and instability experienced in early years to detrimental effects on adolescent brain development. “If you’re a 14-year-old boy who is sleeping in a car and doesn’t have access to three meals a day, or isn’t accessing health support, it’s very difficult to arrive at school and engage in education,” Dr. Hawkins stated, vividly illustrating the impossible conditions some young people face.
A Call for Coordinated Government Action
Aimee McVeigh, CEO of the Queensland Council of Social Service, issued a strong plea for targeted government policies to support the state’s most vulnerable families. She specifically called for interventions that address the needs of low-income earners, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, young parents, and children transitioning out of care.
“Our sector is saying it is getting harder and harder to raise children in Queensland,” McVeigh declared. “We need the government to step up, to organise themselves, to make sure that the strategy goes across housing, health and education, and that it has a tangible difference for the most vulnerable people in our community.”
McVeigh concluded with a firm message to policymakers: “The way government’s structured is not a good enough excuse not to coordinate our efforts to help families right now.” The urgency of the situation demands a unified and strategic response to ensure that all children in Queensland have the opportunity to thrive.
