CREATE Foundation’s Charter for Young Parents in Care is an invitation from young parents with lived experience of out-of-home care, calling on Federal, State and Territory Ministers to commit to better support for young people in care:
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before they become parents
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during pregnancy
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if they experience pregnancy loss
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if they decide or need to have an abortion
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when a baby arrives
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to challenge stigma and discrimination
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and if they are ever separated for their babies or children.
While there is limited data on young parents in care, CREATE Foundation — the national peak body representing children and young people with a care experience — has consistently heard from its young members about significant gaps in prevention and early intervention.
One young person, who was 14 when she became pregnant told CREATE, “When I experienced my first pregnancy… my caseworker told me, well, if you are pregnant, I am going to take that baby off you and give it to a family who deserves it.”
CREATE Young Consultant Cheyenne, who played a leading role in developing The Charter, said, “We didn’t choose to be in care, and we shouldn’t have to then lose our baby because of that care experience.
It is the biggest fear of all first-time parents with a care experience that my child is going to go into care too.”
The Charter sets out best practice expectations for government and draws on the UK's “corporate parent” model, which has driven reforms across Wales and the UK, including:
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stronger statutory obligations,
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scaffolding and preventative supports,
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a whole-of-government approach to supporting young parents with care experience.
CREATE Foundation’s Chater for Young Parents in Care outlines what young parents living in statutory care expect from government to ensure they receive the support needed to parent safely and confidently, and to give their babies the brightest possible futures.
The Charter was developed following the Home Stretch Symposium, where CREATE Young Consultant, Cheyenne, met Welsh academic Dr Louise Roberts, whose Charter for Change is transforming policy and practice in the UK.
As the WA representative on CREATE Foundation’s National Experience to Action Board (Youth), Cheyenne led the development of the Australian Charter, combining lived experience with international learnings.
Cheyenne presented the Charter to the Minister for the Department of Social Services, Tanya Plibersek, during the Board’s visit to Parliament House in November 2025.
In 2026, CREATE Foundation has received early messages of support and is continuing to push for formal endorsement of the Charter across all State and Territory Governments.
Read The Charter for Young Parents in Care below.
See also Statement of Advocacy Priorities and Passport to Success.
