Summary
Out-of-home care (OOHC) is a temporary, medium-term or long-term living arrangement for children and young people up to the age of 18 for whom the state has determined that it is not in their best interest to live at home, usually due to the risk of abuse and neglect (DHHS 2016). Guided by Australia's Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 and ‘best interests’ principles, OOHC aims to ensure children’s safety, wellbeing and development (DHS 2012a). This report focuses on one of the primary goals of OOHC for young people over the age of 15: preparation for independence after care (DHHS 2016).
The report presents an evaluation of the second stage of the the Developing Independence (DI) in OOHC pilot, delivered by the Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL) in partnership with Anglicare and Berry Street and co-funded by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET). The program goal was to better support young people in engaging with education and planning for their futures. The goal of this evaluation was to identify the key program mechanisms and conditions supporting DI pilot goals at three levels:
- encouraging young people’s engagement in DI and mainstream opportunities
- expanding young people’s capabilities
- orienting OOHC staff practice towards aspirational future thinking.
The evaluation report includes findings, challenges, and recommendations for further adaptation of the program.
