In this article we explore The Home Stretch campaign, which influenced the Queensland Government to increase the age that a young person in care will receive financial support and assistance once turning 18.
At what age did you first move out of home?
The average age that young Australians move out of their parents’ home is 23 for men and 24 for women. However the age is steadily rising. With increasing financial and cost of living pressures, young people have become more reliant on their parents for support.
Care leavers experience leaving care in many different ways. Young people who have had supportive and stable homes, and who have positive and ongoing relationships with carers, workers and others in the community often go on to live successful and satisfying lives, despite their history of adversity.
However, within 12 months of leaving care at 18, 50% of care leavers will experience homelessness, be incarcerated, become a parent or will be unemployed. It doesn’t have to be that way, though: studies worldwide have shown that giving young people the choice to stay in care until they are 21 decreases these risks significantly. When care is extended, the rates of young people taking up an education double. Additionally, homelessness rates halve amongst young people.
In June 2022, the Queensland Government responded to carers, agencies and young people who were pushing for the need to extend the age of support to young people in out of home care to 21.
What was The Home Stretch?
The Home Stretch was a national campaign to change previous care arrangements for young people living in out of home care. The change extended care and support, shifting the age from 18 to 21. Anglicare Southern Queensland were proud supporters of this campaign. We believe that young people deserve the best support to get the best possible start to life. We recognise the importance of continued support for young people, up until they turn 21.
Research indicates that extending care support to 21 is financially sustainable. Deloitte Access Economics estimated that the return on investment to be $2.69 for every $1 spent. These returns are based on savings in government spending on programs addressing issues like homelessness, unemployment and mental health, and increased participation of care leavers in the workforce meaning more paid in taxes. This modelling is based on international evidence from programs in parts of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand where care is extended to 21.
So, what’s best for young people in care?
There has been extensive research into countries who’ve adopted this model. In these countries, where care support has been increased to 21, the studies found:
- homelessness decreases by 19.5%
- teen pregnancy decreases by 6.4%
- mental illness decreases by 24.3%
- alcohol and drug dependence decrease by 13.3%
- smoking decreases by 31.9%
- interaction with the criminal justice system decreases by 5.9%
- educational engagement increases by 9.3%.
The stability and connectedness that comes from extended support has a significant impact on young people’s wellbeing. This movement aims to eliminate inter-generational disadvantage experienced by care leavers.
Interested in learning more? Click here to read more about the Home Stretch campaign, including the research reports and hear from clients.