Summary: Historically, insufficient resources and assistance have been
provided to young people leaving state care. This article provides a case study of
the campaign for leaving care services in Victoria.
Findings: Young people leaving care experience homelessness, early
parenthood, loneliness, depression, poverty, and involvement with the juvenile
justice system. Attention is drawn to the key arguments for after-care supports for
young people leaving care, the consumer and provider lobby groups that have driven
the policy debate, the outcomes of existing services, and the barriers (particularly
in Australia) to the creation of effective services.
Applications: Supports and services that are needed to ensure improved
outcomes for care leavers are identified. These include the provision of stable and
supportive placements with a positive attitude to education, maintenance of links
with either family members or community supports, a flexible and functional process
for graduating from dependence to interdependence, the active involvement of young
people in the leaving care planning and decision-making process, the availability of
a range of accommodation options, and ongoing support as required.
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