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Extending out-of-home care in the state of Victoria, Australia: the policy context and outcomes
- Author:
- MENDES Philip
- Journal article citation:
- Scottish Journal of Residential Child Care, 20(1), 2021, pp.1-12. Online only
- Publisher:
- Department of Social Work. University of Strathclyde.
In November 2020, the State (Labour Party) Government of Victoria in Australia announced that it would extend out-of-home care (OOHC) on a universal basis until 21 years of age starting 1 January 2021. This is an outstanding policy innovation introduced in response to the Home Stretch campaign, led by Anglicare Victoria, to urge all Australian jurisdictions to offer extended care programmes until at least 21 years. It also reflects the impact of more than two decades of advocacy by service providers, researchers, and care experienced young people (Mendes, 2019). (Edited publisher abstract)
Policy and practice supports for young people transitioning from out-of-home care: an analysis of six recent inquiries in Australia
- Authors:
- MENDES Philip, McCURDY Samone
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work, 20(5), 2020, pp.599-619.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Summary: Government and parliamentary inquiries into child protection have historically exerted a significant impact on policy and practice reform. Yet to date, there has been no analysis of the impact of such inquiries on programme and service supports for young people transitioning from out-of-home care (often termed leaving care). This article uses a content analysis methodology to critically examine and compare the findings of six recent Australian child protection inquiries (five at state and territory level and one Commonwealth) in relation to their discrete sections on leaving care. Attention is drawn to how the policy issue is framed including key terminology, the major concerns identified, the local and international research evidence cited and the principal sources of information including whether or not priority is given to the lived experience of care leavers. Findings: All six inquiries identified major limitations in leaving care legislation, policy and practice including poor outcomes in key areas such as housing, education and employment. There was a consensus that post-18 assistance should be expanded, and most of the reports agreed that greater attention should be paid to the specific cultural needs of the large number of Indigenous care leavers. Applications: Care leavers universally are a vulnerable group; leaving care policy should be informed by the lived experience and expertise of care leavers; governments have a responsibility to provide ongoing supports beyond 18 years of age, particularly in areas such as housing and education, training and employment. (Edited publisher abstract)
Graduating from the child welfare system. A case study of the leaving care debate in Victoria, Australia
- Author:
- MENDES Philip
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work, 5(2), August 2005, pp.155-171.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Young people leaving care experience homelessness, early parenthood, loneliness, depression, poverty, and involvement with the juvenile justice system. Attention is drawn to the key arguments for after-care supports for young people leaving care, the consumer and provider lobby groups that have driven the policy debate, the outcomes of existing services, and the barriers (particularly in Australia) to the creation of effective services. Supports and services that are needed to ensure improved outcomes for care leavers are identified. These include the provision of stable and supportive placements with a positive attitude to education, maintenance of links with either family members or community supports, a flexible and functional process for graduating from dependence to interdependence, the active involvement of young people in the leaving care planning and decision-making process, the availability of a range of accommodation options, and ongoing support as required.
Child protection hypothetical case studies for a virtual archive: professional perspectives versus the lived experience and expertise of care leavers in Victoria, Australia
- Authors:
- MENDES Philip, WILSON Jacqueline Z, GOLDING Frank
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 51(7), 2021, pp.2626-2644.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
For children in out-of-home care (OOHC) and adults who experienced OOHC as children, the records compiled by care workers, social workers and other relevant personnel present multiple ongoing problems. The records often embody deeply contested narratives that may include distortions and misinterpretations of facts, judgemental inferences, moralistic attitudes and other problematic aspects that can leave the care leaver at best ill-served and at worst profoundly distressed and traumatised. This article, an auto-ethnographic collaboration between a social work professional and two care leavers, aims to address these issues by constructing a ‘virtual archive’ consisting of several hypothetical records compiled in the style typically employed by caseworkers, which are then critiqued by the care leavers. In each case, the record is found to have significant shortcomings in terms of what is included or omitted, the tone, and implied judgements. The article concludes with a discussion that identifies a number of thematic issues and pitfalls intrinsic to the task of record-keeping in the OOHC context and makes recommendations aimed at achieving inclusive, rights-based processes and procedures in the creation and maintenance of records. (Edited publisher abstract)
Stability in residential care in NSW, Australia: the role of the workforce
- Authors:
- BOLINGER Jenna, MENDES Philip, FLYNN Catherine
- Journal article citation:
- Scottish Journal of Residential Child Care, 20(2), 2021, p.13. Online only
- Publisher:
- Department of Social Work. University of Strathclyde.
Stability in residential care has, to date, been operationalised by fundamentally counting placements and equating these with varying levels of stability. In so doing, it has been found that having many placements (i.e., indicative of instability) is associated with diverse problematic outcomes including increased criminalisation, increased mental health difficulties and ongoing placement instability. On the other hand, however, stability has not been found to provide repair. This paper examines staff’s roles and needs required for providing stability. Thirteen staff who worked in residential care in New South Wales participated in semi-structured interviews regarding their thoughts on what brings stability to a residential care placement and the impact of stability on a young person’s outcomes. Analysis was conducted using thematic analysis and QSR NVivo. Findings suggested that staff were required to provide consistency and work within a therapeutic lens when delivering residential care to young people. To do so, they required support from the organisation in terms of training and supervision. The findings suggest that stability can be achieved in residential care largely via consistent relationships with staff who are well supported by their organisations (Edited publisher abstract)
Young people transitioning from out-of-home care: what are the lessons from extended care programmes in the USA and England for Australia?
- Authors:
- MENDES Philip, ROGERS Justin
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 50(5), 2020, pp.1513-1530.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Young people transitioning from out-of-home care (generally called care leavers) are recognised globally as a vulnerable group. In the last eighteen months, four Australian jurisdictions have extended state care till twenty-one years in an attempt to advance the life opportunities of this cohort. These initiatives are strongly influenced by extended care programmes in the USA and England, which have reported improved outcomes for care leavers. This article interrogates formal public evaluations of these extended care programmes with a particular focus on their eligibility criteria that have determined which groups of care leavers are included or alternatively excluded and the identified strengths and limitations of the programmes. Additionally, we consider cross-cultural differences in leaving care populations and variations within the broader social policy context of these jurisdictions, which may also impact on the effectiveness of policy transfer. Some conclusions are drawn about key factors that may enhance the success of extended care programmes. (Edited publisher abstract)
Young people transitioning from out-of-home care in Victoria: strengthening support services for dual clients of child protection and youth justice
- Authors:
- MENDES Philip, BAIDAWI Susan, SNOW Pamela C.
- Journal article citation:
- Australian Social Work, 67(1), 2014, pp.6-23.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
A significant proportion of young people leaving out-of-home care make their transition to independence via the youth justice system, exposing them to further risks and reducing their likelihood of full social and economic engagement in mainstream society. This article presents the initial findings of a research project based on a partnership between Monash University and seven nongovernment child and youth welfare agencies in Victoria, Australia. Seventy-seven key stakeholders participated in interviews and focus groups with a view to identifying practices and policies that could reduce the over-representation of young people leaving out-of-home care in the youth justice system. Factors that contributed to offending included varied responses by the child protection and youth justice systems, limited utility of leaving care plans, and the availability of a range of preventative and diversionary programmes. The findings point to a need for more formalised interagency collaboration, and intensification of the interventions and supports offered both in custodial settings and post discharge from custody or care. (Edited publisher abstract)
Young people transitioning from out-of-home care: a critical analysis of Australian and International policy and practice
- Author:
- MENDES Philip
- Journal article citation:
- Australian Social Work, 62(3), September 2009, pp.388-402.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Young people transitioning from out-of-home care comprise arguably one of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in society. They experience multiple disadvantages resulting from their abuse or neglect prior to entering care, their often negative experiences in care, and the lack of support provided to them as they transition from care. Compared to most young people, they face particular difficulties in accessing educational, employment, housing, and other developmental and transitional opportunities. This paper critically analyses the pathways taken by care leavers, and the Australian and international policy and practice responses. Policy and program reforms for improved outcomes for care leavers are suggested.
From dependence to interdependence: towards better outcomes for young people leaving state care
- Authors:
- MENDES Philip, MOSLEHUDDIN Badal
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse Review, March 2006, pp.110-126.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Young people leaving out of home care are arguably one of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in society. Compared to most young people, they face particular difficulties in accessing educational, employment, housing and other developmental and transitional opportunities. Care leavers have been found to experience significant health, social and educational deficits including homelessness, involvement in juvenile crime and prostitution, mental and physical health problems, poor educational and employment outcomes, inadequate social support systems and early parenthood. Using relevant literature from the USA, UK and Australia, this paper examines the factors that contribute to these poor outcomes and potential policy and practice reforms that may lead to better outcomes for care leavers. The article documents the core structural disadvantages experienced by care leavers compared to other young people; explores the demography of care leavers and the evidence of poor social, health and educational outcomes; analyses recent policy and service initiatives in the three countries compared; and discusses policy and practice reforms that may facilitate better outcomes for care leavers.
An evaluation of housing outcomes from a support program for young people transitioning from out-of-home care in Victoria, Australia
- Authors:
- MENDES Philip, PURTELL Jade
- Journal article citation:
- Scottish Journal of Residential Child Care, 16(2), 2017, Online only
- Publisher:
- Department of Social Work. University of Strathclyde.
Young people transitioning from out-of-home care are globally a vulnerable group due to their traumatic childhood experiences and the often limited support provided to them as they leave the care system. This article presents findings from an evaluation of an Australian leaving care program called Stand by Me (SBM) loosely based on the UK Personal Advisers Model which targeted care leavers with poor social and community connections who were particularly at risk of becoming homeless. The evaluation identified a number of effective components of the program, including the long engagement period which enabled the workers to develop trusting relationships with the young people; the holistic wrap around support that focused on working with the young people in their broader family, social and community contexts; and the availability of housing support to facilitate safe and stable housing options. (Publisher abstract)