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Today sees the launch of a key child protection report consisting of the views and opinions of young people with a care experience. Titled ‘What’s the Answer?” this report was funded by Commonwealth Government and developed by CREATE Foundation through consultation with young people with an out-of-home care experience (i.e. foster, kinship or residential care).

In Australia today, 35,895* children and young people live in out-of-home care, increasing by 10% every year. For those leaving care the experience can be daunting, too many young people (64%1) were found to be without adequate leaving care plans, which can lead to an enormous economic and social cost.

What if the status quo were to remain? It was previously reported by Morgan Disney & Associates (2006)2 that cost to governments over their life course (ages 16 – 60) would be over $2 billion.

The Commonwealth Government has demonstrated recognition of importance of hearing the views of young people during the planning process through its funding of the “What’s the Answer?” report, launched today.

Such collaborative steps were also taken in April 2009, when The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) endorsed “Protecting Children is Everyone’s Business: National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020”. The implementation plan indicated that there must be consultation with young people with out-of-home care experience (“… young people themselves, as opposed to just those who represent them …”)  to ensure successful implementation and delivery of the National Framework.

CREATE Foundation has an established reputation for empowering young people and the success of its various programs (e.g.  CREATE Your Future) and the National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC) and National Youth Advisory Group (YAG) along with transitioning from out-of-home care to independence advocacy which led to the “What’s the Plan?” campaign.  

CREATE’s role in the “What’s the Answer?” report was to consult with young people and capture their voices relating to issues associated with transitioning from out-of-home care and generate the “What’s the Answer?” report and DVD resource.

The “What’s the Answer?” report presents the solutions that the young people consulted in this activity put forward as pivotal for effecting improvements in the transitioning process from out-of-home care to independence if better social and economic outcomes are to be achieved.

“We found that the young people interviewed felt a whole of government approach could make it possible to improve leaving care planning, supports and monitoring,” commented Jacqui Reed, Chief Executive Officer, CREATE Foundation.  Appropriate funding and national standards for leaving care are still needed.

“Collectively, we are thrilled the voices of young people with a care experience are to be published in today’s report,”stated Dr Joseph McDowall, child protection expert, CREATE Foundation Board member and author of CREATE 2008 & 2009 Report Cards on Transitioning from Care.

“I commend the Commonwealth on prioritising child protection, in taking a role through the national framework, and aiming for coordination across government realising that young people’s needs span a variety of departmental areas.”

“Our challenge now is to find the best ways to successfully implement solutions identified by young people.”

The “What’s the Answer?” project was funded by the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) under the Community Investment Program. The views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).

CREATE Foundation’s “Report Card 2009: Transitioning from Care | Tracking Progress” revealed that if you’ve been in out of home care you are more likely to be undereducated, unemployed (29%), to earn less, become a parent at a younger age (28%), be involved in the juvenile justice system (46% of boys), become homeless (35%), be dependent on social assistance, have mental health issues, attempt suicide, and be at a higher risk of substance abuse1.

To learn more www.create.org.au    CREATE Foundation depends upon community support to remain sustainable. Some projects are funded by government and corporate support.

Media Enquiries: Leigh White 0431 932 122

References:   

1 McDowall, J.J. (2009). CREATE Report Card 2009: Transitioning from Care: Tracking Progress. Sydney: CREATE Foundation.

2 Morgan Disney & Associates and Applied Economics Pty Ltd. (2006). Transition from care : avoidable costs to governments of alternative pathways of young people exiting the formal child protection care systems in Australia.

 * Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Child Protection Australia 2010 Report (Published January 2011)