Patterns of Multisystem Involvement in Adolescence: Implications for Health, Education and Social Services in the Northern Territory of Australia

Abstract

Dual-system young people who crossover between child protection and youth justice systems experience a range of health and educational issues. However, very little research has examined the health and education needs of these young people, especially in Indigenous populations. A retrospective cohort study was established using individual-level linked records to examine the child protection, youth justice, health, and education (multisystem) involvement of young Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify different groups within the study cohort of 2584 young people with shared patterns and levels of health, education, and social service system involvement from 10 to 17 years of age, inclusive. Three groups of young people were identified, with patterns of higher, more intensive levels of multisystem involvement being associated with a descending social gradient and increasing proportion of health and social service use across the population. A culturally responsive, trauma-informed approach to multiagency collaboration is needed to better support the most vulnerable young people in the NT based on shared priorities targeting educational engagement, strengthening families, and unmet mental health needs.