The state of Victoria in Australia has adopted a new policy extending the age at which young people must leave care from 18 to 21, according to this article from the Sydney Morning Herald. The new policy is the result of two years of advocacy through the "Home Stretch campaign." The program also "provides services including education, employment and housing support to 150 young people leaving state care."
"In the lead-up to my 18th birthday, I was told my best option would be a homeless shelter,” said one care leaver quoted in the article. “Luckily, that wasn't the case and I ended up in a transitional property for a year and a half, but after that, I found myself on the street and couch surfing and it was really hard to find my feet again and get back on track.” The care leaver says extending time in care until 21 would have made a significant difference to him. “I would have been able to go back and study, I wouldn’t have to worry about my accommodation situation, I could have got employment and really get a head-start in life like everyone deserves. I know so many young people now who fear their 18th birthday, rather than celebrate it because they don’t know where they’re going to sleep that night. This is going to mean the world to them.”