Major parties challenged to match other states on child welfare ahead of South Australian election

The national Home Stretch campaign has called on both major parties to match the rest of the country on the support it gives the state’s most disadvantaged young people, as the South Australian election looms.

The release of new analysis by Deloitte Access Economics at an event in Adelaide today shows the move would save the South Australia Government over the long term, through reduced spending on government services into the future.

National Home Stretch Chair Paul McDonald said the state government had transformed the lives of hundreds of young people by extending the end of foster and kinship care support from the age of 18 to 21 – but it had not finished the job.  

“Children living in residential care are arguably the most vulnerable in the state. While the state government should be congratulated for extending foster and kinship support to the age of 21, it doesn’t make sense to leave those in residential care homes to languish,” said Mr McDonald.

“South Australia (SA) was an early adopter of the Home Stretch reform, but is one of only two jurisdictions in the country not to offer extended support to those living in residential care beyond 18.

“You wouldn’t do it to your kids – removing support and showing them the door at the age of 18 is not something a good parent would do. We can fix this with the stroke of a pen, and we are calling on the government and the opposition to work together for the greater good.

“The analysis by Deloitte Access Economics found the SA Government would see a return of $3.25 in financial and wellbeing benefits for every dollar invested in this group.

“We are calling on the major parties to back extended support for young people in residential care as a baseline entitlement ahead of the election in March – not as part of an optional pilot or discretionary program,” he said.

A cost-benefit analysis completed by Deloitte Access Economics shows that extending residential care is not only the right thing to do from a moral point of view, but would ultimately save the government money when the longer-term benefits are factored in. The report will be launched at an event in the Adelaide CBD this morning.

The Deloitte report, Cost-benefit analysis of extending support for residential care leavers in South Australia, found the following:

• $144,000 in total net benefit per young person
• Benefit–cost ratio of 3.25 when wellbeing benefits are included
• These benefits accrue not only to the young person, but to the South Australian community and government
• Young people who remain in care until 21 have greatly improved outcomes in housing stability, education and employment, mental health and wellbeing and reduced contact with the justice and health systems.

“The Deloitte analysis shows there really is no excuse to do nothing for these vulnerable young people. Leaving residential care at the age of 18 means these young people have a much higher risk of homelessness, unemployment, hospitalisations and interactions with the justice system compared to others the same age.

“Extended support vastly improves their life chances as adults, and it’s a reform that can be implemented quickly with existing capacity across the sector.”

Mr McDonald said that other countries such as the UK had shown that making child wellbeing a joint responsibility across the government – rather than being handled by one department – can lead to vastly improved outcomes for this group.

About the Home Stretch campaign

Started in 2016, the Home Stretch campaign successfully lobbied all state and territory governments to extend the end of foster care from 18 to 21. Most governments have also extended kinship and residential care support to the age of 21 as well.

Young people leaving state care at the age of 18 face an elevated risk of homelessness, unemployment, hospitalisations, teen pregnancies and other risk factors compared to their peers. International research shows that every year the end of care is extended beyond the age of 18, the better outcomes these care leavers are likely to have.

The Home Stretch campaign represents a coalition of hundreds of organisations across the country and is supported by thousands of individuals. The South Australian campaign is a partnership between Home Stretch and Child and Family Focus SA.

More information about extending care for young people can be found on the Home Stretch website.

Home Stretch Chair Paul McDonald and Professor Leah Bromfield, South Australia’s 2025 Australian of the Year and a renowned expert on child protection, are available for interview.

For further enquiries contact Chelsey Potter on 0448 345 596 or Chelsey.potter@unitingcommunities.org  

Share article