Call for Abstracts
Home Stretch is pleased to accept abstracts for the Home Stretch Symposium to be held on 15 & 16 May 2025.
Topics at the 4th Home Stretch Symposium will include: accessing sustainable housing, employment and education, the role of government in the ongoing support until 21 years or beyond, and further policy reform for care leavers.
Bringing together a diverse range of experts, policy makers and lived experience voices (both First Nation and non-Indigenous) to explore the successes, innovations, and further reform to supporting care leavers.
Home Stretch invites papers submissions for speakers under the following three streams, (programs and initiatives must be evidence based).
- HOUSING FOR CARE LEAVERS
Papers for this stream must include either of the following:
- housing models or initiatives specific for care leavers
- the challenges, barriers and opportunities in housing care leavers
- a critique of the current housing approach and the solutions for achieving sustainable housing for care leavers
2. EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT FOR CARE LEAVERS
Papers for this stream must include either of the following:
- education and employment models or initiatives specific for care leavers
- the challenges, barriers and opportunities faced by care leavers getting into further and higher education
- the challenges, barriers and opportunities faced by care leavers getting into meaningful employment
3. OTHER SUPPORTS FOR CARE LEAVERS
Papers for this stream must include either of the following:
- wrap around support models or initiatives for care leavers such as: mentorship programs, legal specialised services, advocates etc.
- the importance of community and cultural connections for care leaver
- a focus on mental health supports for care leavers
- social networks and creating meaningful relationships for care leavers
Abstract submissions will close on 16 March 2025.
Successful submissions will be notified in the first week of April 2025 following a thorough abstract review process.
Important information
- Many speaking roles are offered as panelists rather than as presenters, meaning you may be offered a speaking role that varies from your proposed presentation.
- To submit an abstract please fill in the form below.
For all enquiries, including to withdraw an abstract please email info@thehomestretch.org.au.
- When submitting an abstract, the author(s) understand that if the abstract is successful:
- while they retain ownership of copyright of their presentation, Home Stretch may publish their abstract, PowerPoint presentation and/or any biographical information in the conference pocket program, media releases, social media platforms and on the conference website
- their presentation may be filmed and/or audio recorded and may be made available after the presentation and /or conference;
- if applicable, their final PowerPoint presentation will be collected prior to the conference to be uploaded to the conference portal; and
- should their final PowerPoint presentation change to what was provided prior to the conference, the revised version will be collected and uploaded to the conference portal.
- Traditional presentation opportunities are limited, and many speaking roles will be as panelists and respondents, meaning your role in the session may vary from your original submission.
- Acceptance is conditional on the speaker registering to attend the conference.
- Speakers must register by 30 April 2025.
- Speakers acknowledge that if they have not registered by 30 April 2025 Home Stretch may withdraw the invitation to present at the conference.
- Speakers are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and incidentals in respect to attending the conference.