Thursday 9 August 2012
12.00 pm − 1.00 pm
Brotherhood of St Laurence
Father Tucker's Room
67 Brunswick Street
Fitzroy
Contact:
Jane Douglas
Email:
jdouglas@bls.org.au
Phone:
9483 1364
Young people leaving state 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. This paper uses recent Australian and international research to illuminate what works with care leavers, and identify badly needed policy and practice reforms.
Associate Professor Philip Mendes of Monash University is the Director of the Social Inclusion and Social Policy Research Unit in the Department of Social Work at Monash University. He has been researching the experiences of young people transitioning from out-of-home care for nearly 15 years, and is the lead author of Young People leaving state out-of-home care: a research-based study of Australian policy and practice which was published by Australian Scholarly Publishing in October 2011. He is currently leading a 3 year research project in partnership with seven NGO partners funded by the Helen MacPherson Smith Trust titled "Young people transitioning from Out-of-Home Care in Victoria: Strengthening interagency collaboration, leaving care plans and post-care support services for dual clients of child protection and youth justice": Philip.Mendes@monash.edu
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