Queensland Children Facing Significant Developmental Disadvantage, Report Reveals
A concerning report authored by the University of Queensland has highlighted that a substantial number of children in Queensland are experiencing significant developmental disadvantages, with nearly a quarter failing to meet expected milestones by the time they reach school age. This troubling trend is closely linked to escalating issues of insecure housing and severely strained family finances across the state.
The “Raising Queensland” report, which draws on recent census data, indicates a worrying rise in the number of families struggling to secure safe and stable accommodation. The statistics paint a stark picture, revealing that almost two in five individuals experiencing homelessness in Queensland are young people aged between 12 and 24 years old.
Professor Karen Healy, the lead author of the report, presented these findings, noting a significant drop in developmental progress between birth and the start of formal schooling. While 92 per cent of Queensland children are found to be within the normal developmental range at birth, this figure plummets to 76 per cent by the age of five. The children who fall into this latter group often commence their schooling with deficits in crucial literacy and language skills.
“These children are attending school without the fundamental sustenance they require, such as nutritious meals, and are also enduring significant housing stress,” Professor Healy explained. “These compounding factors create substantial difficulties and anxieties for students, making it exceedingly challenging for young children to engage effectively in their learning journey.”
The release of the report coincided with the launch of a collaborative campaign, also named “Raising Queensland,” spearheaded by 26 frontline social service organisations. This initiative aims to address the multifaceted challenges faced by vulnerable families and children across the state.
The personal testimonies shared at the report’s release underscored the severity of the situation. Brisbane mother Karissa recounted her experience of living in crisis accommodation with her 13-year-old daughter since October. The ongoing wait for social housing has meant her daughter has been unable to attend school consistently.
“She’s really struggling in mainstream schooling, so we’re currently trying to get her into an alternative school,” Karissa shared. “She hasn’t been engaged, she’s been getting suspended, and it’s just been a really tough time for her.”
Another Brisbane mother, Linda Rose, spoke of the two years she spent living in a motel with her young children before securing social housing. She detailed how the constant instability and lack of access to basic household amenities profoundly impacted her elder child’s education and overall well-being.
“Life in a motel was draining from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed,” Rose described. “There was just no routine, no stability, and it made everything incredibly difficult.”
Professor Healy emphasised the long-term consequences of early developmental delays. Children who do not meet developmental milestones in their formative years are at a significantly higher risk of disengaging from education and, subsequently, are disproportionately represented within the youth justice system.
Dr. Matt Hawkins, CEO of Edmund Rice, echoed these concerns, noting a disturbing increase in disengagement from education. He pointed to research indicating that trauma and instability experienced in early childhood can have lasting impacts on adolescent brain development.
“If you’re a 14-year-old boy who is sleeping in a car, doesn’t have access to three meals a day, or isn’t receiving adequate health support, it’s incredibly difficult to arrive at school ready to learn and engage in education,” Dr. Hawkins stated.
Aimee McVeigh, CEO of the Queensland Council of Social Service, issued a strong call for targeted government policies to support the state’s most vulnerable families. She specifically highlighted the urgent need for interventions to assist low-income earners, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, young parents, and children transitioning out of the care system.
“Our sector is consistently telling us that it is becoming increasingly difficult to raise children in Queensland,” McVeigh asserted. “We need the government to step up, to coordinate their efforts effectively, and ensure that strategies encompass housing, health, and education. Crucially, these strategies must deliver tangible positive outcomes for the most vulnerable members of our community.”
McVeigh concluded with a firm message to policymakers: “The way government is structured should not be used as an excuse for inaction or a lack of coordination when it comes to helping families who are struggling right now.”
