Introducing the longitudinal study of indigenous children

This chapter outlines the key design and process elements of Footprints in Time: The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC). The survey collects data on the physical and mental wellbeing of the Study Children: their social and cognitive development; their place in their family and community; their health, work, lifestyle and family and community connectedness; and the services, such as child care, education and health, available in their communities. The objective of LSIC is to provide high value quantitative and qualitative data that can be used to provide a better insight into how a childs early years affect development and to inform and improve policy responses to the diverse circumstances faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities.