Queensland’s Transition to Adulthood Month Paves the Way for a Brighter Future for Youth in Out-of-Home Care
The much-anticipated Transition to Adulthood Month (T2A Month) kicks off today and is celebrated across Queensland throughout November.
T2A Month sheds light on the exciting and yet daunting road to adulthood that many young care leavers face, and unites the sector to empower young people with the knowledge, skills, support and resources they need to successfully transition into adulthood and independent living.
Each year, more than 600 young people across Queensland make the transition from out-of-home care to living independently. However, only 58.7% of young people felt they received the support they needed exiting care (Queensland Government My Life in Care Survey 2022). CREATE’s own research found that 1 in 3 young people leaving out-of-home care experience homelessness at some stage within their first year after leaving care (37% of these for 6 months or more), and around similar numbers also experience unemployment (29%) and difficulties completing education. (McDowall, 2020)
Jacqui Reed, CREATE CEO notes “We know that the process of leaving out-of-home care can be very challenging for some young people as they try to navigate complex systems to access housing, education and employment, often without adequate support from a trusted adult. Recent measures in Queensland designed to boost support for care leavers up to the age of 21 were a great first step, and we eagerly await feedback from young people to determine if it is enough.
“CREATE would like to see the new Extended Post Care Support Package extended to all care leavers up to 21 so that all young people receive the financial and other supports they need, regardless of whether they turned 18 before 1 July 2023. We’d also like to see housing supports extended up to 25 years and the introduction of a specialised mentoring program being developed by CREATE for young people with a care experience to offer more intensive guidance with navigating the challenges of adulthood”.
CREATE Foundation extends its gratitude to all the organisations across Queensland who have contributed to this year’s T2A month planning and events. These include YFS, Logan City Council, The Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services, PeakCare, Next Step Plus, Churches of Christ, and Life Without Barriers.
Photo Opportunity: Transition to Adulthood Month Launch
Date: 9 November 2023
Time: Starting at 12pm
Venue: 372 Kingston Road, Slacks Creek (next to YFS)
Key Highlights:
During the launch event, attendees will have the opportunity to:
- Hear inspiring words from Ms. Kate Connors, Deputy Director-General, Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services, as she addresses the importance of supporting young individuals during their transition to adulthood.
- Meet the Principal Commissioner of the Queensland Family and Child Commission, Luke Twyford and Tom Allsop, CEO of PeakCare Queensland.
- Hear from CREATE Young Consultants who share their lived experience with transitioning from care and offer support to those who are about to embark.
- Meet and chat to community organisation to discuss support available in this crucial life phase.
- Also lots of fun to be had with food trucks, games, prizes to be won and lots more!
Members of the media, community leaders, caseworkers, carers, and young people in out-of-home care are encouraged to attend the launch event and learn more about supports available this Transition to Adulthood Month.
For more information about Transition to Adulthood Month or further comment from CREATE’s Chief Executive, Ms Jacqui Reed, and/or a young person with care experience contact: Erin Laing, National Media and Marketing Coordinator via Erin.laing@create.org.au or 0401 880 522
Key statistics on the care sector in Australia:
- 46,212 children and young people were reported in 2020-21 as living in out-of-home care across Australia (Australian Institute of Health & Welfare, 2022).
- Young people in out-of-home care are 16 times more likely to be under a youth justice order than the general population.
- 30% of young people experience homelessness within the first year of leaving care. (McDowall, 2020).
- 38% of young people have been involved with the justice system.
- 30% of young people who have left care or preparing to leave care are unemployed.
- 36% children and young people in care do not live with any of their siblings.
- 35% of young people in care have five or more caseworkers during their time in care.
- 67% of young people in care over the age of 15 are not aware of having a leaving care plan.
McDowall, J. J. (2018). Out-of-home care in Australia: Children and young people’s views after five years of National Standards. CREATE Foundation.
McDowall, J. J. (2020). Transitioning to adulthood from out-of-home care: Independence or interdependence? CREATE Foundation.
