Leaving Care Project
This research project was undertaken by the Centre in collaboration with Monash University, during 2003-2005, investigating outcomes for young people who have left State care (Foster care and residential care) and the long term economic costs to the State of not providing adequate support to young people who transition from State care into adult lives.
In Victoria, statutory orders that place children and young people in care cease when they turn eighteen years of age. The State’s parental responsibilities to these young people ceases at this stage, with very little support extended to them in the crucial phase after transition and the early years of adulthood. Research shows that many young people discharged from care are ill prepared to meet the challenges of living independently in an adult world and require support during and after transition from care to establish themselves successfully in adult life.
The Centre undertook a two-year research project during 2003-2005 which documented the life pathways of 60 young people aged between 19 and 25 years, who had been in State care. Data from the interviews with these young people was analysed to establish the relationship between pre-care and in-care factors and outcomes achieved by young people. More importantly, the study also included a cost-benefit analysis estimating the long term costs to the State of not supporting young people through their transition to adulthood.
The results of this research show that not only are there personal and emotional costs to young people, there are high economic costs to the community in the long term through this lack of support. It was estimated that for a typical cohort of 450 young people who leave care in Victoria each year, the direct cost to the State resulting from these poor outcomes is AUS $332.5 million.
Cost benefit research of this kind in a human services area provides a powerful argument to influence investment priorities of policy makers, by drawing attention to the potential savings that can accrue to government from an investment in programmes such as the one supporting young people leaving care. It also provides valuable input on the question of whether it is of economic value to develop such policies.
To learn more about the Centre's advocacy in this area, please click here