Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T17:29:29.420Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Young People with Complex Needs Leaving Out-of-Home Care: Service Issues and the Need to Enhance Practice and Policy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 October 2015

Catia Malvaso*
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
Paul Delfabbro
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
*
address for correspondence: Catia Malvaso, School of Psychology, Level 4 Hughes, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, SA, 5005. Phone: +61-4-1785-5164. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Leaving statutory out-of-home care (OOHC) is a challenging time for many young people; however, certain groups have greater difficulty transitioning to independence. This includes young people with multiple and complex needs, such as those suffering from mental health problems and disabilities, as well as young people with borderline conditions or who disengage from services. The aim of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the service issues pertaining to these vulnerable groups in South Australia, as well as to identify ways that policy and practice can be enhanced to better facilitate service engagement. Twenty-nine individual interviews and focus groups were conducted with people working in organisations who have knowledge of, or contact with, young people leaving care (N = 66). Thematic analysis was used to organise responses according to two overarching themes: (1) Issues with current leaving care services and preparation, and (2) Enhancing policy and practice. The principal challenges related to difficulties in matching the structure of formal services to a population with highly unstructured living arrangements, a history of problematic engagement with the care system, and difficulties arising due to service ineligibility issues. Potential improvements to the current system and program delivery are discussed.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Baker, C. (2007). Disabled children's experience of permanency in the looked after system. British Journal of Social Work, 37 (7), 11731188.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Baidawi, S., Mendes, P., & Saunders, B. (2015). Indigenous care leavers in Victoria: Interim Report. Melbourne: Monash University Department of Social Work.Google Scholar
Bristow, G., Cameron, L., Marshall, K., & Omerogullari, S. (2012). Continuing care: A new approach and practice implications for supporting young people exiting state care. Developing Practice: The Child, Youth and Family Work Journal, 33, 103110.Google Scholar
Bryant, M. (2001). Mental health topics: assertive outreach. London: The Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health.Google Scholar
Cashmore, J., & Paxman, M. (1996). Wards leaving care: A longitudinal study. Sydney: NSW Department for Community Services.Google Scholar
Courtney, M. E., & Dworsky, A. (2006). Early outcomes for young adults transitioning from out-of-home care in the USA. Child and Family Social Work, 11 (3), 209219.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Crane, P., Burton, J., & Kaur, J. (2013). A better future for young people leaving care. Parity, 26, 1112.Google Scholar
Cusick, G. R., Courtney, M. E., Havlicek, J., & Hess, N. (2010). Crime during the transition to adulthood: How youth fare as they leave out-of-home care. Washington: National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, US Department of Justice.Google Scholar
Del Valle, J. F., Lázaro-Visa, S., López, M., & Bravo, A. (2011). Leaving family care. Transitions to adulthood from kinship care. Children and Youth Services Review, 33 (12), 24752481.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dowse, L., Cumming, T. M., Strnadová, I.Lee, J. S., & Trofimovs, J. (2014). Young People with Complex Needs in the Criminal Justice System. Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 1 (2), 174185.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnson, G., Natalier, K., Mendes, P., Liddiard, M., Thoresen, S., Hollows, A., & Bailey, N. (2010). Pathways from out-of-home care. AHURI, Final report No. 147.Google Scholar
Layton, R. (2003). Our best interests: A State plan to protect and advance the interests of children. Adelaide: Government of South Australia.Google Scholar
Le Sueur, E. (1991). “Poor after care” in Seuer, E. (Ed.), Policy and practice papers: Issues in public welfare, vol. II. Adelaide: Department of Family and Community Services.Google Scholar
Malvaso, C., Delfabbro, P., Hackett, L., & Mills, H. (in press). Service approaches to young people with complex needs leaving out-of-home care. Child Care in Practice.Google Scholar
Maunders, D., Liddell, M., Liddell, M., & Green, S. (1999). Young people leaving care and protection. Hobart: National Youth Affairs Research Scheme.Google Scholar
Mendes, P. (2009a). Young people transitioning from state out-of-home care: Jumping hoops to access employment. Family Matters, 83, 3238.Google Scholar
Mendes, P., Baidawi, S., & Snow, P. (2014). Good practice in reducing the over-representation of care leavers in the youth justice system: Leaving Care and Youth justice Phase Three Report. Melbourne: Monash University Department of Social Work.Google Scholar
Mendes, P., Snow, P., & Broadley, K. (2013). Young people with a disability leaving State Care. Melbourne: Monash University Department of Social Work.Google Scholar
Mendes, P. (2006). From dependence to interdependence: towards better outcomes for young people leaving state care. Child Abuse Review, 15, 110126.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mendes, P. (2009b). Globalization, the welfare state and young people leaving state out-of-home care. Asian Social Work and Policy Review, 3 (2), 8594.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mendes, P. (2012). Towards better outcomes: A social investment model of support for young people transitioning from out-of-home care. Developing Practice: The Child, Youth and Family Work Journal, 32, 812.Google Scholar
Mendes, P., Snow, P., & Baidawi, S. (2014), Young people transitioning from out-of-home care in Victoria: Strengthening support services for dual clients of child protection and youth justice. Australian Social Work, 67 (1), 623.Google Scholar
Mendes, P., Young, G., & Moslehuddin, B. (2011). Effectively preparing young people to transition from out-of-home care. Family Matters, 89, 110.Google Scholar
Priestley, M., Rabiee, P., & Harris, J. (2003). Young disabled people and the “new arrangements” for leaving care in England and Wales. Children and Youth Services Review, 25 (11), 863890.Google Scholar
Rogers, R. (2015). Taking responsibility for the provision of financial, housing and emotional support for young people leaving care. Australian Social Work, 68 (1), 99114.Google Scholar
Stein, M. (2005). Resilience and young people leaving care: Overcoming the odds. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.Google Scholar
Stein, M. (2006). Research review: young people leaving care. Child and Family Social Work, 11 (3), 273279.Google Scholar
Stein, M. (2012). Young people leaving care: Supporting pathways to adulthood. London: Jessica Kingsley.Google Scholar
Taylor, C., & Fitzpatrick, C. (2006). Young people in care and criminal behaviour. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.Google Scholar
Ungur, M., Liebenberg, L., & Ikeda, J. (2014). Young people with complex needs: Designing coordinated interventions to promote resilience across child welfare, juvenile corrections, mental health and education services. British Journal of Social Work, 44 (3), 675693.Google Scholar
Wade, J., & Dixon, J. (2006). Making a home, finding a job: investigating early housing and employment outcomes for young people leaving care. Child and Family Social Work, 11 (3), 199208.Google Scholar
Wharne, S. (2005). Assertive outreach teams: Their roles and functions. Journal of interprofessional care, 19 (4), 326337.Google Scholar