Most foster children feel loved

MOST children in foster care feel happy, healthy and loved but many worry about their futures, a new survey shows.

More than 2700 Queensland children and carers were questioned on matters of family, education and health, with their answers painting a picture of foster care experiences.

The study is the largest ongoing one of its kind in the world.

Almost all felt safe and happy with their current placement, the View of Children and Young People in Foster Care Queensland 2010 report found.

The majority felt their carer listened to and treated them well and the best thing about their placement was their lifestyle and relationship with their carer.

But there were a growing number who worried their fate was out of their hands.

Almost half said they rarely or never had a say in what happened to them and one fifth worried their placement would change in the coming months.

Less than half were confident in assurances received by the department on different issues.

More than 40 per cent wanted to see their family more. This was an improvement on a 2007 survey when 70 per cent said they didn't see their family enough.

And more indigenous children reported being in touch with their communities compared with past years.

Respiratory, dental and mental health problems were the most common health issues experienced and many reported having problems at school.

More than one quarter of nine to 19-year-olds, and around 16 per cent of children aged five to eight, have been kept back a year at school.

Forty per cent of the older children have been suspended from school and 10 per cent have been expelled.

For all children, their biggest problems at school was school work, followed by bullying.

The Commissioner for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Elizabeth Fraser said she was pleased to see improvements on previous years.

"We have heard what children have to say and I am committed to continuing to work with government and the community to support these children and young people," she said.