Footprints in Time - The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC) aims to improve the understanding of, and policy response to, the diverse circumstances faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, their families and communities.
The study collects important information about the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, covering areas including:
- the children—their physical and mental health, how they develop socially and cognitively, their place in their family and community, and significant events in their life
- the children’s families—their health, work, lifestyle, and family and community connectedness
- the children’s communities—facilities, services, and social and community issues
- services—child care, education, health and other services used by the child and the child’s family.
The study is designed to explore how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children develop resilience, what helps to improve their wellbeing and future, and to recognise links between early childhood experiences and later life outcomes.
What is the purpose of the study?
The main objective of the study is to provide high quality quantitative and qualitative data that can be used to provide a better insight into how a child’s early years affect their development. It is hoped that this information can be drawn upon to help close the gap in life circumstances between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
The study's quality declaration provides further detail about data quality.
Footprints in Time will provide information that can be drawn on by:
- Australian governments
- researchers
- service providers
- parents
- communities.
Community Booklet and key summary report
The parents and carers of two groups of children, mostly aged between 6 to 18 months and 3½ - 4½ years in Wave 1, were interviewed in 2008. With parental or guardian permission, questionnaires were also given to each child's teacher or childcare provider to complete. These same children and their carers will be interviewed each year to measure their progress.
Over 1,680 interviews were conducted with a parent or primary carer of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child, usually the mother, and over 265 interviews were conducted with fathers or other significant carers.
Footprints in Time Key Summary Report from Wave 2
Two feet on the ground – standing proud: Findings from Wave 2 of Footprints in Time - 2010
Key Summary Report from Wave 1
Highlights from Wave 1: topics include family life, growing up strong, learning and doing, and strong souls and safe communities.
A correction to Table 3: Footprints in Time sample compared with total estimated Indigenous child population aged 0 to 5 years, Australia, was released 15 March 2010. The information originally released for WA and SA was incorrect.
What are the research questions guiding the study?
- What do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children need to have the best start in life to grow up strong?
- What helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to stay on track or get them back on track to become healthier, more positive and strong?
- How are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children raised?
- What is the importance of family, extended family and community in the early years of life and when growing up?
Also of interest is the role that service use and support plays in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children:
- How can services and other types of support make a difference to the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children?
The data will provide information for individuals, families, communities, service providers, researchers and governments to design and implement culturally appropriate policies and programs that will assist with improving outcomes for Indigenous children.
The research questions were formulated under the guidance of the LSIC Steering Committee, who also provides advice in the following areas:
- the research model design and implementation
- community engagement processes and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and peoples
- ensuring ethical and cultural protocols are adhered to in the study
- data analysis, interpretation and reporting
- use of the data collected in the study by governments, researchers and communities in improving policy and service delivery issues.
Who is undertaking the study?
Interviews are primarily conducted by FaHCSIA-employed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Administration Officers. Interviews are also conducted by other National Office Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff. The information collected is the property of FaHCSIA.
How do I access Release 2.0 LSIC data?
Release 2.0 of the LSIC date is now available. Prospective users will be required to complete a dataset application form and sign a deed of licence for the Release 2.0 data. Users who already received Release 1.2 data also need to re-apply for Release 2.0 data.
In order to apply for the LSIC data users should read the following Manual for the access and use of FaHCSIA Longitudinal Survey Dataset to understand how to obtain access to the dataset.
Further questions regarding the data access can be directed to longitudinalsurveys@fahcsia.gov.au.
Questions regarding these documents can be directed to lsicdata@fahcsia.gov.au.
Data Access Documents
LSIC Data Documentations
Technical Papers
Wave 3 data collection
Wave 3 data collection commenced in March 2010 and concluded in December 2010. Wave 3 focuses on the school experience for the older cohort, including the acquisition of literacy and numeracy skills, homework, tutoring and parent engagement with school. It also includes new modules on parents’ relationship, gambling, paid parental leave and homelessness. New child-oriented questions relate to identity, racism and learning their culture and what children want to be when they grow up.