BACKGROUND: Children with disabilities are at increased risk of child maltreatment; however, there is a gap in the evidence about whether all disabilities are at equal risk and whether risk factors vary according to the type of disability.

Our study shows that maternal mental health is an important factor in child protection involvement. The level of risk varies across diagnostic groups. It is important that mothers with mental health issues are offered appropriate support and services. Adult mental health services should also be aware and discuss the impact of maternal mental health on the family and children's safety and well-being.

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This study aims to determine the prevalence, and trends over time, of Western Australian (WA) mothers who were victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) requiring hospital admission. The study investigated the prevalence of all mothers and the specific prevalence of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal mothers. A population-based cohort study using de-identified linked health data of mothers of children born from 1990 to 2009 in WA was carried out. The prevalence of hospitalizations for IPV in mothers of children born in the period 1990-2009 (per 1,000 births) was calculated. Results indicate that the overall prevalence of hospital admissions for mothers assaulted 12 months prior to their child's birth month increased in the period 1990-2009, from 2.7 to 7.7 per 1,000 births. There was also an increase in the overall prevalence of hospital admissions of mothers who were assaulted 12 months prior to the birth month and 36 months after the birth month, from 8.

We systematically reviewed quantitative research that compared developmental health or wellbeing outcomes for maltreated children placed in out‐of‐home care (OoHC) with those cared for in their home. Randomised, quasi‐randomised and cohort studies that met detailed criteria were eligible. Study results and bias risk information were extracted by two authors using predefined data fields. Narrative synthesis was used because of the diversity of studies. No randomised studies were found. Thirty‐one papers from 11 cohort studies were included. The studies covered 15 developmental health or wellbeing outcomes (63 distinct comparisons). Of 40 significance‐tested comparisons, 29 were consistent with no evidence of benefit or harm of OoHC, seven were consistent with harm and four with benefit. Three studies with low risk of selection bias showed no evidence of significant differences, or found worse outcomes for OoHC. Overall, evidence from cohort studies shows limited evidence of improved outcomes, and some evidence of worse outcomes associated with OoHC. These results may be explained by selection bias favouring placement of children likely to have worse outcomes in OoHC rather than in‐home care. Further research, including randomised controlled trials and carefully matched data‐sets, is needed to determine the effectiveness of OoHC. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Messages Most research has high bias risk, as children who enter OoHC have more disadvantaged backgrounds and higher risk for poor outcomes than other maltreated children. Even allowing for significant bias risk in the studies, there are mixed results for children entering OoHC, and the three highest-quality studies showed no difference or worse outcomes for OoHC.

Cumulative incidence provides a more accurate indicator than annual incidence rates of the number of children who experience out-of-home care during childhood. The study utilises a cohort of all children born in Western Australia (WA) 1994-2005 and Manitoba 1998-2008 using de-identified linked data. Life tables were used to calculate the age-specific cumulative incidence over time and for at-risk groups. Cox regression was used to compare risk factors for entry to care. Manitoba had a larger proportion of children entering care compared to WA (9.4% vs 1.5% by age 12). Over time children entered care at a younger age in both WA (HR=1.5, CI:1.4-1.5) and Manitoba (HR=1.5, CI:1.5-1.6). Similar factors were associated with earlier age care entries in both countries including: socioeconomic disadvantage, young maternal age, maternal hospital admissions for mental health issues, substance misuse and assault. Supplementary analysis for WA showed a time trend with young children (<3years of age) who entered care spending an increasing proportion of their early years in care. Whilst Manitoba had a larger proportion of children entering care, over time in Western Australia children have been entering care at a younger age and spending more time in care. These latter factors contribute to an increased burden on the out-of-home care system. Manitoba had over five times greater cumulative incidence than WA, however risk factors for entry to out-of-home care were consistent in both countries. Knowledge of the risk factors for entry to out-of-home care can inform targeted support and prevention programs.

Objective: To investigate factors associated with alcohol use in adolescents, with the focus on analysing the comorbidities between single‐occasion harmful‐drinking episodes with mental health issues and risk behaviours. Methods: This study used data from the Young Minds Matter survey, designed to inform on the prevalence of the seven most common mental health disorders of children and adolescents. Logistic regression modelling was used to assess the odds of harmful drinking behaviour in young people aged 13–17 years in Australia. Results: We found a strong association between single‐occasion harmful drinking and mental health issues, which hold after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. Young people with severe mental health issues within the past year were four times more likely to have been drinking at harmful levels in the past 30 days. Conclusions: Alcohol use can have adverse health effects among children and adolescents. Research has found a bidirectional association between alcohol use and mental health conditions where the presence of one issue almost doubles the risk of having the other issue. Implications for public health: The comorbidity between these issues suggests the need for strategies to integrate policies addressing mental health and alcohol use disorders in young people.

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