Informing Australian policy development, program implementation and evaluation to extend care to 21.
Tuesday 27 - Wednesday 28 August 2019
About the symposium
It is unquestionably time for Australian governments to address the costly social and economic consequences of terminating care at 18 years. Every year an estimated 3,000 young people leave state care across Australia. Many of these young people experience poor life outcomes: 50% will end up either homeless, in jail or a new parent within the first 12 months of leaving state care. The Home Stretch Symposium will bring together policy developers, stakeholders and implementers to explore and discuss the challenges and complexities associated with introducing the policy of extending care to 21 years. These discussions will be informed by international and national experts in this policy area.
Who should attend:
- Australian Federal, State and Territory Government representatives with responsibility for Out of Home Care
- Peak Bodies for Child and Family Welfare
- Out of Home Care Service Providers
- Academics with an interest in Out of Home Care
What you’ll learn:
- What extending care to 21 means for young people and carers
- The different models being used internationally and nationally
- The challenges, enablers and experience of implementation
- Policy progress in extending care by governments in Australia
Program
Day 1: Tuesday 27th August
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 8.30 | Registrations Open |
| 9.00 | Opening |
| 9.10 | Welcome to Country |
| 9.30 | Opening Address: ‘Extending Care to 21 years in Australia’ Paul McDonald, Chair Home Stretch, CEO Anglicare Victoria |
| 10.00 | Keynote: International Perspectives ‘Evidence from the United States’ Mark Courtney, Samuel Deutsch Professor in the School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago (US) Presentation |
| 10.45 | Morning Tea |
| 11.15 | Panel: ‘Reality Check: The experience of leaving care’ A CREATE Foundation panel chaired by Eleni Hale, author & former foster child |
| 12.00 | ‘The Carer Perspective: National Survey Findings, 2019’ Presented by Samantha Hague, CEO Foster Care Association of Victoria Presentation |
| 12.15 | ‘Young People Transitioning from care: Australian research on outcomes’ Philip Mendes, Associate Professor, Director Social Inclusion and Social Policy Research Unit, Monash University Presentation |
| 12.45 | Lunch |
| 13.45 | Keynote: International Perspectives ‘Evidence from the United Kingdom’ Steve Walker, Director of Children and Families at Leeds City Council (UK) Presentation |
| ‘Evidence from New Zealand’ Sarah Ashton, Service Manager – Transition to Adulthood, Oranga Tamariki, Ministry for Children (NZ) Presentation |
|
| 15.05 | Afternoon Tea |
| 15.35 | Panel: ‘Implementation of Extended Care to 21 in Australia’ Facilitated by Julie Alexander Panel members: Beth Allen, A/Director, Children and Families Policy Department of Health and Human Services (VIC) Mathew Healey, Executive Director, Engagement and Innovation, Department of Communities (TAS) Karen Lacy, Manager, Children, Policy and Service Design, department of Communities (WA). Jodie Robinson, Senior Executive Branch Manager, Children, Youth and Families, Community Services Directorate (ACT) Fiona Ward, Deputy Chief Executive, Department of Child Protection (SA) |
| 16.30 | Network drinks |
| 18.30 | Symposium Dinner. Please register http://thehomestretch.org.au/symposium/registration/ |
