paul mcdonald—home stretch · 2018. 8. 9. · paul mcdonald—home stretch author: australian...
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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