Page 4632 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 19 October 2010
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setting, in our youth detention centre at Bimberi or involved with our community youth justice services.
The government is also committed to providing high quality services to this population, and my department works in partnership with community partners, other government agencies and kinship and foster carers on services to plan, support and meet the needs of these vulnerable children and young people as they grow and develop.
While the out-of-home care sector has a number of significant systems in place, national policy developments and community feedback have demonstrated a need for improvements and a realignment of existing service delivery models for young people who transition from care to independent living.
Research shows us that the outcomes for these young people in the early years of their adult life are likely to be poorer than those of their peers. It also tells us that this could be improved through the provision of more suitable support services that are responsive to their needs and will help them to achieve and maximise their potential.
Research also shows us that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people are over-represented in our care and protection and youth justice environments, and it is important that any work progressed has a particular focus on the particular needs of this population.
We have also listened to young people and carers. Feedback from young people, including in consultation undertaken during the development of the ACT young people’s plan, and reports from organisations working with this specific group, such as CREATE, provide information on the need to improve services for young people during the periods of transition.
Carers tell us that issues for young people do not stop just because they turn 18 and that they often want to continue to support them into adulthood, but that this can be difficult if no supports are available. A number of community members I have spoken to have also raised the needs of this particular group with me.
This feedback, research and the national focus on the issue have highlighted the need for the government to focus more closely on improving the way services are provided to these young people as they move into adulthood.
Young people transitioning from care as they move into adulthood want what all young people want—they want to establish a good social network of peers, have an education and a career, and dream of having their own living arrangements. To achieve this dream they need to know how to access services and support; they need to have the skills to live independently, become financially independent, and find their own accommodation; and they need the support and skills to meet other requirements of adult life. Many young people in care may need to make these adjustments quickly when they turn 18 if their care arrangements cease.
Of course there are many fantastic carers and kinship carers in the ACT who offer ongoing supports to young people after they turn 18, and we need to recognise them for their great commitment and work. They help make this transition period easier.
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