Profile of young care leavers

Statistics

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report, Child protection Australia 2008-09, states that, on 30 June 2009, there were 34,069 children in out of home care (AIHW 2010). Approximately one third were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.1  Just over half (52 percent) were males.  Fifteen percent (4,973) were aged 15 – 17 years.  2,406 of those aged 15 – 17 years were discharged from out of home care in 2008-09.  This is an increase of around 16 percent on the previous year. 

Characteristics

The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute report Pathways from out-of-home care, April 2010 (the AHURI report) details a study by Johnson et al. who surveyed 77 young people aged between 18 and 25 years.  These young people had been in care at some stage in their lives but were no longer in care.  Of significant concern are the findings of this study indicating that, of those surveyed:

• 77 percent were categorised as following a volatile pathway from out of home care;2
• 53 percent had an educational attainment of Year 10 or below;
• 25 percent were homeless; and
• 53 percent reported a problem with substance abuse.

A summary of the characteristics of the young people on each pathway described in the AHURI report is at Attachment A.

The findings from a 2009 survey of 471 young people aged 15 to 25 years in care or who had left care conducted by the CREATE Foundation and published in the CREATE Report Card 2009 indicated that, at the time of survey:

• 64 percent did not have a leaving care plan;
• 35 percent were homeless in the first year of leaving care;
• 46 percent of boys were involved in the juvenile justice system;
• 35 percent completed Year 123;
• 29 percent were unemployed (compared to the national average which is
  9.7 percent); and
• 28 percent were already parents themselves.

Paxman (2007) cites a study of NSW care leavers by Cashmore and Paxman (1996) that found 50 percent of the young women who had left care had married or were living in de facto relationships, mostly with children, within four to five years after leaving care.  One in three were pregnant or had given birth before the age of 20 compared with only 2 percent in the general population; and by the age of 24 over half (57 percent) of care leavers had children, compared with 6 percent in the general population.

This profile indicates that while a proportion of young people experience a smooth and supported transition and achieve very positive outcomes, a significant proportion do not.  The evidence points to the complex and multiple disadvantage characteristic of many young care leavers and this directly impacts upon their ability and/or willingness to engage with support.  This significant issue must be considered in any approach that aims to improve the experiences and outcomes for young care leavers making the transition to independence.

Stein (2004) suggests that, in broad terms, young people transitioning to independence fall into one of three outcome groups:

• those ‘moving on’ from care;
• those ‘surviving’;
• those who are ‘struggling’.

‘Moving on’ care leavers are those who have had a positive out of home care experience and developed a high level of resilience.  Transitioning to independence for this group is likely to occur later, be gradual and planned.  Individuals in this group tend to have good practical skills, positive interactive relationships and good social networks.  Stein cites a study by Hart (1984) who found that those whose after care experience was most successful were those who participated in ‘general’ or open access activities and opportunities as distinct from ‘specialist’ care provision.

Significantly, Stein suggests that individuals within the ‘moving on’ category should be considered to provide mentoring to other young people transitioning to independence.

‘Survivors’ care leavers have experienced more instability, movement and disruption while living in care than the ‘moving on’ group.  They tend to have left care younger, often following a breakdown in foster care or a sudden exit from residential care.  Survivors are likely to experience further movement and problems after leaving care, including periods of homelessness, low-paid casual or short-term employment, unfulfilling work and unemployment.  They are also likely to experience problems in their personal and professional relationships.  This group is characterised by high degrees of agency dependency for assistance with accommodation, money and personal assistance. Nevertheless, some combination of personal and professional support networks could help them overcome their very poor starting points at the time of leaving care.

‘Strugglers’ care leavers are the most disadvantaged.  They have experienced damaging pre-care family experiences and in the main, care was unable to compensate them or help them overcome their past difficulties.  They are likely to leave care younger, following a placement breakdown and lack, or have alienated personal supports. 

At the time of leaving care, their life chances are very poor and aftercare support is unlikely to be able to help them overcome their very poor starting points.  They are more likely to experience unemployment, greater difficulties maintaining accommodation, be homeless, be lonely, isolated and have mental health problems.