AHURI 2018Paul McDonald 6 August 2018

All states and territories terminate careto the young person before they turn 18

NT

WA

TASSAVIC

ACT

NSW

QLDExit care at 18.Planning exitbegins at 15.

Exit care at 18.Planning exitbegins at 15.

Exit care at 18.Planning exitbegins at 14 years 11months.

Exit care at 18.Planning exitbegins at 15.

Exit care at 18.Planning exitbegins at 15.

Exit care at 18.Planning exitbegins at 15.

Exit care at 18. Planning exit begins at 15. Carer reimbursements to 21 years to begin in 2019.

Exit care at 18.Planning exit begins at 15. Currently extending care to 21 years.

3,000 young people between the agesof 15-17 years are exited from state careeach year in Australia

What happens to young people leaving care in the first 12 months?

35% had 5 or more places

of stay

Were involved with the Justice

System

Male 46%

Female 22%

29% unemployed

national average 9.7%

28% were already parents

Two thirds of homeless youth come from Out of Home Care

SwinburneUniversity of

Technology in2015, found that63% of homeless

youth have astate care

history

Whilst 85% of 18 – 21 year olds in Australia are still at home (HILDA)

85% of young people are still living at home

International evidence ofContinued Care to 21 years

United States Federal Government reimburses states toextend care to 21 years.

• Completing secondary education• Enrolled in an institution that provides post secondary or vocational education• Participating in a program designed to promote employment• Employed for at least 80 hours per month• Incapable of doing any of the above because of a medical/mental health

condition

Criteria

Outcomes for young people in continued care past 18 years in United States

Total federal and state tax savings are estimated to be $320 million US.

• Halved homelessness• Doubled education participation• Doubled the odds of employment• 38% reduction in youth pregnancies• 54% reduction in arrests

United Kingdom experience

• 2012 'Staying Put' trials• 2014 Extended care to 21 (foster/kinship care)• 2016 Extended care to 21 trials for Residential care

• Halved homelessness• Twice as likely to be in full time education• Higher percentage in full time training & employment at 19

Outcomes

…the most significant child welfare

reform in the United Kingdom in a

generation.

Amanda Cumberland (Policy and Parliamentary Adviser at The Adolescent and Children’s Trust)

Continuing care in AustraliaWhat are the costs and benefits state by state, if care were extended to age 21.

Terms of Reference: Requirements & Research

1. Cost & Benefits of Extending care for those young people in (OoHC) to the age of 21 years.Based on best estimate:

a) What is the current international research telling us.b) What would be estimates of those seeking to extend care.c) What are the costs to extending care until the age of 21 against the model types of care:

i. Foster and Kinship careii. Lead Tenant for those seeking extension from Residential Careiii. The option to return to care for all of the above types of care.

d) What would be the short and long term economic savings/social benefits realized for:i. State Government (including all states and territories)ii. Commonwealth Governmentiii. Clients

2. Provide cost/benefit formulas used.

3. What recommendations would be proposed re model options.

Social outcomes if care is continued to 21years in Australia

• Homelessness would be halved 39% to 19.5%;• Hospitalisation would decrease 29.2% to 19.2%;• Education engagement would increase 3.6% to 9%;• Arrests would decreased 16.3% to 10.4%;• Drug and alcohol dependence would decrease 15.8% to 2.5%.

National Cost Benefit Ratio

Continued care support past 18 yearswould include:

• Ongoing carer reimbursements or housing subsidy

• Case management worker

• Financial brokerage available for education and employment

Likely pathway for care to continue past 18 years

Campaign so far • Over 5000 supporters• Over 150 organisations in support for reform• 700 Carers standing up in support

• Tasmania currently extending care to 21 years • South Australia continuing foster and kinship carer

reimbursements to 21 years• Victorian Liberal party committed to a trial if elected

In the media

Want to get involved in the call to extend care to 21?

1. Sign up to show your support @ www.thehomestretch.org.au

2. Write to your Premier and tell them why you support the extension of care to 21 years

3. Follow us on Social Media @The_HomeStretch homestretch18to21