Transition – Phase 2

Evidence and theory suggest that the transition phase should support the young person to achieve interdependence from their carers and the out of home care system as a precursor to independence. 

Mendes and Moslehuddin (2006) highlight the accelerated transition to independence of young people leaving out of home care in contrast to that of other young people.  Most other young people still live at home until their early twenties and continue to receive social, practical, emotional and financial support.  The significance of access to the family home as a safety net for most young people, is also emphasised in this research.

Mendes (2007) also described the ‘abandonment’ of children by the state as a ‘substitute parent’ and the expectation that, as young people, they will transition directly from childhood dependence to self sufficient adults without the ongoing financial, social and emotional support and nurturing offered by most families of origin.  He pointed out that ‘this ending of support crucially coincides with either the final years of schooling or the beginning of attempts to gain employment’.  Mendes advocates for transitions from care to reflect developmental maturity rather than age alone.

A young person transitioning to independence is often alone with few, if any, supports.  While we know that many attempt to reconnect with their families of origin after they leave out of home care, research shows that many soon discover the same issues and dysfunction that separated them in the first place and so leave this situation, often after a very short period, without anyone to support or care for them (Cashmore and Paxman, 1996, p.3).6 A study by Forbes and Inder (2006) surveyed 60 young people who had been in care for at least two years during their childhood, in Victoria.  They found that 43 per cent had received no help from any family member within the first two years of leaving care. 

In recent years, legislation within some jurisdictions has been amended to improve the support provided by the ‘state as substitute parent’ and now includes provisions allowing the state or territory child protection authority to continue supporting the young person up to 25 years.  The inconsistency of the legislation across jurisdictions however, is well documented in the 2009 CREATE Report Card and is noted as an issue. 

Summarising the evidence from the literature, an effective transition phase requires:

1. the transition plan to be implemented, monitored and modified as required, and overseen by a key professional or support person;
2. the carer to be involved in the transition phase with the young person and to also have their needs met during the process;
3. mentoring relationships to be continued and consolidated;
4. a focus on the development and consolidation of living skills, including social and relationship skills, through mentoring and structured programs;
5. the transition to occur gradually, consistent with transitions to independence made by young people more broadly;
6. flexibility and effective contingencies to ensure adequate responses to changing needs and circumstances, in keeping with the young person’s wishes;
7. young people leaving care to be formally recognised across the system as a ‘vulnerable’ group to support an appropriate and integrated service response;
8. the young person to be engaged in appropriate training, education or other activity to support their transition to social and economic independence;
9. the young person having access to financial support that is well targeted to their needs;
10. the involvement of the young person’s birth family, where appropriate and desirable.

A mapping of the core elements and responsibilities for the Transition Phase is at Attachment D1.