Book Review: Philip Mendes and Pamela Snow (eds) Young People Transitioning from Out-of-Home Care: International Research, Policy and Practice

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 797-800
Author(s):  
Vivienne Barnes
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Home Care ◽  
International Research ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Out Of Home Care

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.

Comparing caring: The Looking After Children system in Canada and Australia

2007 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deirdre Cheers ◽  
Kathleen Kufeldt ◽  
Ross Klein ◽  
Scott Rideout
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Research Collaboration ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Developmental Needs ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Out Of Home Care ◽  
Outcomes Of Care ◽  
Early Results

The Looking After Children (LAC) system is currently used in a number of countries world wide, providing increasing opportunities for international research collaboration. This paper describes early results of one such collaborative effort between Canada and Australia. The LAC system is a child-centred case management approach aimed at enhancing the developmental needs of children and young people in out-of-home care placements. LAC has the capacity to connect research, policy and practice. For research and practice LAC measures and enhances outcomes of care. Aggregation of data collected via the use of LAC allows policy makers to assess current practices in order to monitor and measure the extent to which intended program goals are achieved. LAC promotes and encourages collaboration in the care system, enhancing participation opportunities and partnerships between social workers, direct carers (foster parents and residential workers), parents, children and young people.

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.

Policy and practice supports for young people transitioning from out-of-home care: An analysis of six recent inquiries in Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 599-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Mendes ◽  
Samone McCurdy
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
Policy Issue ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Out Of Home Care ◽  
Care Leavers ◽  
The Impact

Summary Government and parliamentary inquiries into child protection have historically exerted a significant impact on policy and practice reform. Yet to date, there has been no analysis of the impact of such inquiries on programme and service supports for young people transitioning from out-of-home care (often termed leaving care). This article uses a content analysis methodology to critically examine and compare the findings of six recent Australian child protection inquiries (five at state and territory level and one Commonwealth) in relation to their discrete sections on leaving care. Attention is drawn to how the policy issue is framed including key terminology, the major concerns identified, the local and international research evidence cited and the principal sources of information including whether or not priority is given to the lived experience of care leavers. Findings All six inquiries identified major limitations in leaving care legislation, policy and practice including poor outcomes in key areas such as housing, education and employment. There was a consensus that post-18 assistance should be expanded, and most of the reports agreed that greater attention should be paid to the specific cultural needs of the large number of Indigenous care leavers. Applications Care leavers universally are a vulnerable group; leaving care policy should be informed by the lived experience and expertise of care leavers; governments have a responsibility to provide ongoing supports beyond 18 years of age, particularly in areas such as housing and education, training and employment

Young people transitioning from out-of-home care and problematic substance use The views of young people and workers in Victoria

2010 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 23-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Baidawi ◽  
Philip Mendes
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Young People ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Out Of Home Care ◽  
Problematic Substance Use ◽  
Problematic Substance ◽  
Research Findings

Existing research findings indicate that young people from state care backgrounds experience higher rates of substance use and misuse than the general population. This study explored the nature of this relationship via semi-structured, qualitative interviews with four young people who had recently transitioned from state care and three workers in the out-of-home care field, plus a focus group with seven out-of-home care and leaving care workers. The findings suggest that a range of individual, interpersonal and systematic factors contribute to problematic substance use. They include the use of self-medication to address past and present trauma, a lack of meaningful and stable relationships, and state care policies and practices that lead to young people experiencing premature and unplanned exits from state care. Some significant implications for policy and practice are identified.

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