bridging the gap between vision and reality: realising the human rights of children in alternative...
TRANSCRIPT
Bridging the Gap between Vision and Reality: Realising the Human Rights of Children in
Alternative Care
Sharon Bessell
Crawford School of Public Policy
The Australian National University
Presented at the World Conference on Social Work and Social Development
8-12 July 2012Stockholm, Sweden
Out of Home Care in Australia
‘Alternative accommodation for children under 18 years of age who are unable to live with their parents, where the State or Territory makes a financial payment or where a financial payment has been offered but declined.’
FAHCSIA
38,000 children (2011)
93% in home-based care
Number of children in out of home care doubled between 1997 and 2006
AT STATE LEVEL:
CHARTERS OF RIGHTS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUT OF HOME CARE
Queensland New South Wales Victoria South Australia Western Australia Tasmania Australian Capital Territory
(not Northern Territory)
AT COMMONWEALTH (NATIONAL) LEVEL:
NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUT OF HOME CARE
NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION FRAMEWORK
NATIONAL CHILDREN’S COMMISSIONER TO BE ESTABLISHED
All underpinned by ideas of children’s human rights and influenced by the UNCRC
Children and Young People’s Experiences
Two Studies
Total of 62 children and young people with experience of out of home care
CHILDREN AND YOUNG
PEOPLE’S EXPERIENCES
RHETORIC OF HUMAN
RIGHTS
POLICIES
• Access to and support for health care and basic needs
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S EXPERENCES
• Often long waiting periods and complicated processes to access benefits and services
‘I went through winter with thongs [lightweight sandals] and then got shoes in summer.’
‘You have to ask for clothing vouchers and the workers can’t give them straight away. The big boss has to sign off. I have to wait three weeks for a $50 clothing voucher – and I really needed it.’
POLICIES
• Focus on access to education, completion of schooling
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S EXPERENCES
• Concerned about treatment at school, choice of school
‘There are bullies in school – and it can be much worse for kids in care.’
POLICIES
• Right to participate, to be consulted or to ‘have a say’
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S EXPERENCES
• No choice on the things that matter:– Choice of case worker– Choice of placement– Choice of carer– Placement with siblings
‘The only choice you have in care is to run away’
EXPLAINING THE GAP
PROCESSES ARE HIGHLY BUREAUCRATIC AND INACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN
PROCESSES ARE PRIORITISED OVER RELATIONSHIPS
CONCERN WITH ACCOUNTABILITY DOES NOT EXTEND TO ACCOUNTABILITY TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
THE ABSOLUTE IMPORTANCE OF RELATIONSHIPS TO CHILDREN IS NOT ADEQUATELY RECOGNISED