Nicole Black, Monash University - Dynamic Effects of Out-of-Home Care on Children’s Schooling

Title:  Dynamic Effects of Out-of-Home Care on Children’s Schooling

Abstract: Out-of-home care (OOHC) placements are a critical intervention for maltreated children. However, evidence on its effects is limited. This paper examines the impacts of OOHC placements on children’s schooling, using linked administrative data from South Australia. We employ a dynamic difference-in-differences approach that compares outcomes of the same child before and after placement, using children who enter OOHC in the future as controls. We show that after an OOHC placement school absences decline markedly and remain consistently lower than baseline, indicating improved school attendance. These effects are broadly similar across gender and age groups. We further show that the improvements are driven by OOHC placement itself, rather than broader child protection involvement, and are concentrated during periods when children are in care, diminishing after exit. These findings highlight the critical role of OOHC placements in supporting educational attainment among vulnerable children.

Presenter: Nicole Black, Monash University

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