Centre Events

“Being in foster care can disadvantage you for life”

27 June 2018

This article was originally published in April 2018.

Youth in foster care need support beyond the age of 18 if they are to avoid homelessness, argued LCC PhD Candidate Madonna Boman at a Queensland Family and Child Commission Roundtable event on April 18.

Ms Boman and LCC researcher Associate Professor Cameron Parsell were two of three presenters at the Roundtable, which focused on preventing homelessness for young people leaving the out-of-home care system.

Most young Australians live in the family home after turning eighteen, with many leaving and returning home into their twenties. The child protection system is out of step as young people have to leave care by their eighteenth birthday. This housing instability coincides with completing high school, entering the workforce, university or TAFE, or looking for work.

“Why we cut off support at 18 needs to be addressed. They need that extra support with education and to get jobs,” Ms Boman said.

“Foster care is the largest predictor of being homeless. If we can’t help them their poor life outcomes will continue.”

Associate Professor Parsell agreed, stating that “Being in foster care can disadvantage you for life.”

The Roundtable was held at The University of the Sunshine Coast and was attended by key stakeholders in government and service provision. Attendees included the Commissioner, Cheryl Vardon, and Justice Margaret White AO., who both commended Ms Boman on her outstanding research.

Click here to read more about the Roundtable.