Page 3707 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 24 August 2011
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Young people transitioning out of care are at higher risk and more likely to be undereducated, be unemployed, earn less, become a parent at a younger age, be involved in the juvenile justice system, become homeless, be dependent on social assistance, have mental health issues, attempt suicide, and be at a higher risk of substance abuse. Across Australia we know that in 2009 35 per cent were homeless in the first year of leaving care; 46 per cent of boys were involved in the juvenile justice system; only 35 per cent completed year 12; 29 per cent were unemployed, compared to the national average at that time, which was 9.7 per cent; and 28 per cent were already parents themselves.
Educational outcomes for children in out-of-home care are extremely poor. This perpetuates the level of disadvantage experienced by the young person and has long-lasting consequences throughout their life. Research indicates that young people leaving care have poorer educational qualifications, are younger parents, are more likely to be homeless and have higher levels of unemployment, offending behaviour and mental health issues. This is perhaps most disturbing, because we know that education forms a critical aspect of meeting our needs and achieving our hopes and dreams. There is increasing recognition that education is the key to social mobility and crucial to positive life outcomes.
Create has collated information on the health outcomes of young people in care. Particular health challenges for these children include illness and disability, higher rates of teenage pregnancy, risk-taking behaviour and self-harm, and poor access to dental, optical and aural health services. Mental health is also a significant issue for young people in care. Research by the Royal Children’s Hospital Mental Health Service shows that nearly two-thirds of children and young people in out-of-home care had mental health diagnoses and required mental health referral.
Across Australia we know that periods of homelessness and contact with the justice system affect close to half of young people after they leave care. Factors that were found to inhibit transition to independence include unresolved anger towards family members, workers or the system; unsuitable and unstable placements and multiple changes of carers and workers; a lack of long-term goals, for example education, vocation and living arrangements; a lack of sufficient income; contact with the youth justice system and imprisonment; a lack of preparation for leaving; and a lack of later contact with the care system.
The need for attention to be focused on leaving care plans was highlighted in the CREATE report card 2009. Better outcomes are achievable if each young person transitioning from care has been involved in thinking about and discussing their possible future life needs with a supportive adult. That adult may be a caseworker, a significant adult in their life or a carer. In working to prepare a transition plan with a young person, we have opportunities to identify courses of action or pathways to follow which assist their independent functioning and maximise their likelihood of a successful transition.
Research also indicates that when transitioning preparation is done well there is an increased likelihood of positive outcomes. For example, attention was drawn to the
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video