Leaving care

The CREATE Foundation report card series evaluates the needs and progress of children and young people in the out-of-home care system in Australia and provides insights into their experiences. This 2013 report card presents the views of over 1,000 children and young people on life in care, placement satisfaction, contact with family and friends, health, education, life skills and transitioning to independence, and interaction with case planning and caseworkers.

The Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry was established on 1 July 2012 to review the performance and effectiveness of the child protection system in Queensland. It follows on from the 1999 Commission of Inquiry into Abuse of Children in Queensland Institutions (the Forde Inquiry) and the 2004 Crime and Misconduct Commission Inquiry, to assess progress so far and make recommendations for the future. This discussion paper invites submissions to the inquiry and presents initial discussions on the topics of reducing demand on the tertiary system, investigating and assessing child protection reports, working with children in care, young people leaving care, addressing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, workforce development, oversight and complaints mechanisms, courts and tribunals, and funding.

This article describes the work of Junction Support Services in the Hume region of regional Victoria, and the issues they face in helping young people transition from out-of-home care.

This article describes 'Continuing Care' - the Salvation Army Westcare's supportive approach to helping young people move from out-of-home care. Young people do best when they experience stability and continuity in care, and this should not end when they turn 18.

This article provides insight into the experience of leaving care. A 17 year old girl and her case workers describe the suddenness and upheaval of the girl's move from a supportive, settled environment to new accommodation.

This article describes a new model aimed at supporting young people to live in the community after they leave out-of-home care. It discusses outcomes and disadvantage among young people leaving care and how a cluster housing model can help support young people in this transition period. The model is being piloted by MacKillop Family Services in a site in Melbourne, Victoria.

This article describes the CREATE Foundation's 'What's the plan?' campaign to promote the increased use of leaving care plans for young people exiting out-of-home care in Australia and the increased involvement of the young people in their preparation. It describes the social marketing approach by the campaign and the nature and outcome of the intervention campaign.

This article advocates a positive psychological approach in planning the transition from out-of-home care for young people.

This article explores what impact out-of-home care experiences have on young people's post-care outcomes. Drawing on a survey with 20 young Victorians who were in care, it discusses placement issues, relationship issues, and abuse in care.

This article explores the factors that facilitate or constrain interest in further education for young people in out of home care. It presents preliminary findings from a study of 13 young people in Queensland who are in care or have left care, and who aspire to, currently attend, or have completed higher or further education.

This opinion piece highlights the importance of involving young people in planning their transition from out-of-home care.

Drawing on interviews with workers employed by the Community Living Association, this article looks at practice issues and frameworks for working with young people with intellectually disabilities who have left or are leaving out-of-home care.

Drawing on international research studies, this literature review examines whether there is an association between leaving care and homelessness. Other adverse outcomes for young people exiting out-of-home care are also identified.

This article describes the Lighthouse Foundation's Therapeutic Family Model of Care, which aims to help young people in care make a successful transition into adulthood.

In this article, the author discusses how young people can be best supported in their transition from out of home care. This opinion piece was originally presented as an address to the ACT Office for Children Youth and Family Support Seminar, December 2011.

This opinion piece highlights the need for a well-planned transition for young people leaving care, with reference to policies in The National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2009-2020.

This article summarises a recent research review on the links between leaving care, homelessness, and psychosocial outcomes. It also investigated whether homelessness, housing instability, and outcomes can be mitigated by transitional housing programs aimed at developing independent living skills.

This paper provides background information on leaving care in Tasmania. Though the government is no longer legally responsible for a young person in care once they turn 18 years old, this varies from the situation of young people in the wider community, who may still live with their parents into young adulthood and receive ongoing support. This report first discusses the factors that assist or inhibit the transition of young people from care into independence and the federal government principles on leaving care. It then reviews the situation in Tasmania, including leaving care plans, placement stability, health, education, pregnancy, crime involvement, financial assistance, and accommodation support. In conclusion, the paper makes policy and service recommendations for improving the transition of young people leaving care in Tasmania.

Young people leaving state out-of-home care are arguably one of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in society. Many have been found to experience significant health, social and educational deficits. In recent years, most Australian States and Territories have introduced specialist leaving care and after care programs and supports, but there has been only limited examination of the effectiveness of these programs. This paper examines the experiences of a group of young people involved in the leaving care and after care support program introduced by St Luke's Anglicare in the Victorian town of Bendigo. Particular attention is drawn to some of the practical needs identified by the young people including re-establishing relationships with family, acquiring a driving licence and/or managing public transport, dealing with legal issues, and coping with the particular challenges of living in rural communities.

Local and international research suggests an overrepresentation of young people leaving state out-of-home care in the youth justice system. A range of factors appear to contribute to this correlation including child abuse and neglect, placement instability, experiences of residential care, and unsupported transitions from care. This article presents the findings of a Victorian pilot study conducted in partnership with Whitelion, a not-for-profit organisation specifically offering support to 'young people involved with or at risk of involvement with the youth justice and/or out-of-home care and leaving care services' (Whitelion, 2012), to examine the interrelationship between the child protection and youth justice systems, and particularly to explore the processes that take place when young people involved in the youth justice system leave state care. A series of interviews and focus groups with Whitelion workers were used to explore whether leaving care plans and policies address and minimise involvement with youth justice; the role, if any, of formal consultations by child protection services with youth justice regarding this group of care leavers; and the ongoing role of youth justice postcare, particularly when young people are in custody at the time of their exit from care. Some significant implications for policy and practice are identified.

"This good practice guide promotes sharing of some initiatives that support young people transitioning from out-of-home care to independence across Australia in 2011-12. Improving the experience of young people transitioning to independence is one of the specific actions under the National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2009-2020."--FaHCSIA website.

This resource, for child protection and family services in Victoria, provides guidance for working with young people and their families. Part 1 is an introduction to adolescent development, including the effects of trauma and diverse family backgrounds. Part 2 is a practice tool on strategies for working with young people. It discusses information gathering, communicating with adolescents, relationship building, mental health concerns, documenting a comprehensive history, analysis and planning, and treatment action. Appendices are also included on planning issues for young people leaving state care.

This paper reports on the views of 308 young people in England who had either left care or were preparing to leave care. Questions were asked on issues such as their preparedness to leave care, what they thought was good or bad about being in care and how their care experience could have been improved.

The Protecting Victoria's Vulnerable Children Inquiry was launched on 31 January 2011 to investigate systemic problems in Victoria's child protection system and make recommendations to strengthen and improve the protection and support of vulnerable young Victorians. This report presents the findings and recommendations of the Inquiry. Volume 1 presents the recommendations of the Inquiry, as well as terms of reference. Volume 2 details the findings of the Inquiry, in the areas of the impact of abuse and neglect; current system and performance; policy framework; major protective system elements; the law and courts; system supporting capacities; and system governance. Volume 3 collates the appendices.

"The journey to adulthood is a big step for all young people. However, for young people leaving care it may be far more difficult, coping with major changes in their lives and at a younger age, especially if they lack preparation and support. [This book] explores the journey from care to adulthood through the main challenges these young people face: in being in settled accommodation, in fulfilling their potential in education, employment or training, and in achieving and maintaining good health and a positive sense of wellbeing. For each of these pathways, the book provides a comprehensive review of relevant research, how young people might be best supported, and how the services they receive have the potential to increase resilience and boost their chances of enjoying a fulfilled life as a young adult."

"Each year in the United States, over 25,000 young people "age out" of the foster care system upon reaching adulthood, usually at the age of 18. The juvenile justice system, which is responsible for minors who have committed offenses that would be considered crimes in the adult criminal justice system, is also far-reaching. However, while a number of programs have been designed to help youth who were formerly in foster care or the juvenile justice system, or both, little rigorous evidence exists to identify which services are effective and for whom. The evaluation of the Youth Villages Transitional Living program that is described in this brief is designed to help fill this knowledge gap ... The evaluation will examine the difference that the Transitional Living program makes for this population - or its impacts on a range of outcomes, including education, employment, mental health, and financial security. This policy brief provides an overview of the Youth Villages Transitional Living Evaluation ... It summarizes the policy context for the evaluation, describes the characteristics of the early study sample, offers preliminary observations from the beginning of the study, and lays out a timeline for the next steps in the evaluation."

In 2010, the CREATE Foundation developed 'What's The Plan?', a national campaign aimed at increasing the number of young people who have a clear, formalised plan for life after care - known as a leaving-care plan, transition document, or a final case plan. This report reviews the development, implementation, and effectiveness of this campaign, and the implications for care planning and future social marketing campaigns.

Young people leaving care are at high risk of homelessness and housing stress. This article introduces the Young People Leaving Care Transition Program in northern Tasmania. The program has been developed to break the cycle of homelessness for young people leaving care, and is intended to be expanded across the rest of the state.

"This resource details a nationally consistent approach to planning for young people transitioning from out-of-home care to independence and was endorsed by Commonwealth, State and Territory Community and Disability Services Ministers in October 2011. Improving the experience for young people transitioning to independence is a national priority under the National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2009-2020."--FaHCSIA website.

This article presents the views of children and young people on the experience of kinship care. Interviews were conducted with 21 young people in Victoria, discussing such issues as normality, relationship with parents, forced contact arrangements, the importance of brothers and sisters, and support from the wider family. The article concludes with thoughts on how the system can be improved and better supported.