4907.0 - Information Paper: Improving Statistics on Children and Youth - An Information Development Plan, 2006  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 08/12/2006   
   Page tools: Print Print Page Print all pages in this productPrint All

This document was added or updated on 13/04/2007.

PREFACE

In recent years there has been a significant increase in the demand for statistical information covering the many and varied domains of the lives of children and young people. The availability and accessibility of good quality statistical information is an integral part of the policy design and evaluation process; the development of research agendas; and the decision making processes of governments, organisations and communities. As policy and research agendas change, so too does the demand for statistical information.

This information paper, Improving Statistics on Children and Youth: An Information Development Plan, has been developed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS) National Children and Youth Statistics Unit (NCYSU). It is based on a shared understanding of the key policy issue imperatives and agreement on the areas of priority for statistical data development. It outlines data development actions aimed at improving the statistical information base relevant to these priority areas.

This project has been guided by the ABS' Children and Youth Statistics Advisory Group (CYSAG) (refer to Appendix 1 for a list of member organisations). This group has been instrumental in setting the direction of the project, as well as in the identification and articulation of the key policy and research issues, data development needs and related actions.

Development of the Information Development Plan (IDP) has involved extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders including: federal, state and territory
government agencies; research organisations; and non-government organisations. Staff in these organisations have given generously of their time and their contribution to this work is gratefully acknowledged.

This Plan has the endorsement of the following organisations: the Australian Council for Educational Research; the Australian Institute of Criminology; the Australian Institute of Family Studies; the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth; the Department of Education, Science and Training; the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations; the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs; the Department of Health and Ageing; the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research; and the Productivity Commission.

Dennis Trewin
Australian Statistician