Service approaches to young people with complex needs leaving out-of-home care

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catia Malvaso ◽  
Paul Delfabbro ◽  
Louisa Hackett ◽  
Hayley Mills
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Complex Needs ◽  
Out Of Home Care

Young People with Complex Needs Leaving Out-of-Home Care: Service Issues and the Need to Enhance Practice and Policy

2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catia Malvaso ◽  
Paul Delfabbro
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Current System ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Complex Needs ◽  
Out Of Home Care ◽  
Service Engagement

Leaving statutory out-of-home care (OOHC) is a challenging time for many young people; however, certain groups have greater difficulty transitioning to independence. This includes young people with multiple and complex needs, such as those suffering from mental health problems and disabilities, as well as young people with borderline conditions or who disengage from services. The aim of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the service issues pertaining to these vulnerable groups in South Australia, as well as to identify ways that policy and practice can be enhanced to better facilitate service engagement. Twenty-nine individual interviews and focus groups were conducted with people working in organisations who have knowledge of, or contact with, young people leaving care (N = 66). Thematic analysis was used to organise responses according to two overarching themes: (1) Issues with current leaving care services and preparation, and (2) Enhancing policy and practice. The principal challenges related to difficulties in matching the structure of formal services to a population with highly unstructured living arrangements, a history of problematic engagement with the care system, and difficulties arising due to service ineligibility issues. Potential improvements to the current system and program delivery are discussed.

What Does International Research Identify as the Best Practice Housing Pathways for Young People Transitioning from Out of Home Care?

2021 ◽  
pp. 234930032110643
Author(s):  
Jacinta Chavulak ◽  
Philip Mendes
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Transition Planning ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Out Of Home Care ◽  
Extended Care ◽  
Care Leavers ◽  
Housing Pathways

Young people transitioning from out-of-home care (often called care leavers) are globally a disadvantaged group who can be particularly vulnerable to experiences of housing instability and homelessness. This article presents a scoping review of international scholarly literature pertaining to housing pathways for care leavers from 2015–2020. The 15 publications identified were analysed according to location, methodology, sample accessed, key findings regarding housing pathways and outcomes, and recommendations for policy and practice reform. Our findings suggest that good transition planning, continuing support from responsible adults, the availability of safe and affordable housing and extended care till at least 21 years should enable more positive housing transitions.

The Experiences of Indigenous Young People Transitioning from Out-of-Home Care in Victoria, Australia

2019 ◽  
pp. 149-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Mendes ◽  
Bernadette Saunders ◽  
Susan Baidawi
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Out Of Home Care ◽  
Indigenous Children ◽  
Care Leavers ◽  
The Impact

This chapter reports on exploratory research in Victoria, Australia, involving focus groups and interviews with service providers and Indigenous care leavers to examine the impact of existing support services. Indigenous children and young people are highly overrepresented in the Australian out-of-home care system. To date, neither specific research focusing on this group’s experiences as they transition from care nor an assessment of the Indigenous-specific and non-Indigenous supports and services available to them have been undertaken. Findings suggest that Aboriginal Community Controlled Organizations (ACCOs) play a positive role in working with non-Indigenous agencies to assist Indigenous care leavers. Participants identified a few key strategies to improve outcomes, such as facilitating stronger relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous services and improving ACCO resourcing.

Reflections on Upholding the Rights of Youth Leaving Out-of-Home Care

2019 ◽  
pp. 69-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily R. Munro
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Alternative Care ◽  
Complex Needs ◽  
Psychological Recovery ◽  
Out Of Home Care ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Rights Of The Child ◽  
United Nations Convention

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) recognizes that children in out-of-home care are entitled to special protection to promote their physical and psychological recovery. The Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children, which are intended to enhance implementation of the UNCRC, also acknowledge the importance of transitional and aftercare support. This chapter explores progress toward realizing the rights of youth leaving out-of-home care in Australia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The emerging picture is that all these jurisdictions have some way to go to meet the standards enshrined in the Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children and that emerging adults with complex needs are not currently sufficiently empowered or enabled to exercise their rights.

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