Home Stretch campaign lead Paul McDonald has praised the ACT reforms. Photo: Supplied.
While most young people are excited about an upcoming 18th birthday, those in foster care would look upon the date with dread, according to Anglicare Victoria CEO Paul McDonald.
“We know that 85 per cent of all 18 to 21-year-olds in Australia still live with one or both parents,” he said.
“But previously, we were cutting off support to all those in state care at age 18, telling them they were on their own.”
This is no longer the case in the ACT after legislation passed giving young people leaving out-of-home care the right to access support until their 21st birthday.
This reform is backed by $10 million in the ACT Budget for a new model of support for young adults transitioning to adulthood from the out-of-home care system.
“The ACT is the first jurisdiction in Australia to legislate extension of care through to 21,” Mr McDonald said. “Those in care will no longer fear their 18th birthday”.
Around 800 children live out of care in the ACT – either with foster carers, kinship carers or in group homes. Most were removed from their birth parents due to abuse or neglect.
The government pays carers an allowance to help with the costs of raising the child. But this payment used to be cut off once a child reached the age of 18.
Care leavers across the country faced high rates of homelessness, unemployment and incarceration, sparking a push for more government support.
Mr McDonald has led a nationwide campaign called The Home Stretch, which has lobbied every state and territory to extend the age of support to 21.
Since the campaign commenced, most jurisdictions have introduced policies to continue providing financial assistance to care leavers.
“We’ve had a long history of discussion with the ACT Government on how to implement the policy and to revisit if it’s effective. To the government’s credit, through our discussion, they have reviewed the policy and sharpened it to ensure support is getting to the care leaver,” Mr McDonald said.
He also praised the decision to invest $10 million in the reform, which he said will save the ACT money in the long run.
“We know that three extra years of care reduces homelessness rates by half and doubles their education prospects,” he said.
“We would conservatively estimate they will save themselves $3 for every dollar they invest.”
Minister for Children, Youth and Family Services Rachel Stephen-Smith said the transition to adulthood can be a difficult time for any young person but is particularly challenging for those who have experienced out-of-home care.
“Many children and young people in out-of-home care have experienced significant trauma in their lives. The impact of this does not disappear as soon as a young person reaches adulthood, and many young people experience ongoing mental health challenges and difficulties adjusting to independent living.
“This change will provide young people with confidence that they will continue to be supported during their early adult years, just like other young people who continue to receive support from their families through this crucial period.”
Discretionary support will continue to be available up to the age of 25 when it is required, creating an additional safety net for those young people who need it.
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