21 November 2005
Proposed Victorian laws aimed at improving support for young people leaving state care fails to acknowledge their varied maturity and skill levels, a conference will hear today.
The 'Towards better outcomes for young people leaving state care' conference, hosted by Monash University's departments of Social Work, Econometrics and Business Statistics, and the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, will hear that the proposed Child, Youth and Families Bill does not go far enough in its support of young people leaving state care.
Dr Philip Mendes, from Monash University's Department of Social Work, said although the bill - which has passed the lower house with bi-partisan support - introduces a legal requirement to support care leavers until they turn 21, it still has some deficiencies.
"The Bill's summary document refers to the 'transition from out-of-home care to independent living', yet most young people do not move abruptly from childhood dependence on parents to adult self-sufficiency," Dr Mendes said.
"Leaving care needs to become a far more gradual and flexible process based on levels of maturity and skill development, rather than just age.
"Many care leavers end up homeless, have significant health problems and experience early pregnancy - partly because of abuse or neglect before entering care and the inadequacies of state care - but particularly because of the lack of support for them when they leave care at age 16 or 17."
Dr Mendes said investment in leaving care programs would improve social and economic outcomes for all Victorians.
"Poor outcomes not only cost the individuals, but also cost the state," he said.
As well as the Child, Youth and Families Bill, Australian and international delegates at the conference will discuss the needs of care leavers, the required policies and programs for improving their transition to independence, and the need for further legislative and program supports.
Speakers will include the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, Ms Coleen Clare; Professor John Pinkerton, from the School of Social Work at Queens University, Belfast; Associate Professor Mike Clare from the School of Social and Cultural Studies at the University of Western Australia; and Dr Judy Cashmore, from the Social Policy Research Centre at the University of New South Wales.
What: 'Towards better outcomes for young people leaving state care' conference
When: Tuesday 22 November, 9am -- 5pm
Where: Level 2, building B, Monash University, Caulfield campus
For further information contact Ms Natasha Whalley, Media Communications, on +61 3 9905 9201 or 0437 458 457.
| 
