Young people leaving statutory out of home care will have a right to access support until their 21st Birthday under legislation passed in the ACT Legislative Assembly today.
This reform, included in the Children and Young People Amendment Bill 2024 (No. 2), is backed by $10 million in the ACT Budget for a new model of support for young adults transitioning to adulthood from the out of home care system.
Minister for Children, Youth and Family Services Rachel Stephen-Smith said the transition to adulthood can be a difficult time for any young person, but is particularly challenging for those who have experienced out of home care.
“The ACT was one of the first jurisdictions to establish formal financial support for young people up to the age of 21 and their carers, as well as after-care supports up to the age of 25,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
“In 2022, Next Steps for Our Kids – the ACT Strategy for strengthening families and keeping children and young people safe committed to improving and embedding extended care.
“This legislation, supported by Budget funding, creates a right for young adults to access more comprehensive support – giving them the best opportunity to continue their education, gain employment and establish stable housing and living arrangements.
“Many children and young people in out of home care have experienced significant trauma in their lives. The impact of this does not disappear as soon as a young person reaches adulthood, and many young people experience ongoing mental health challenges and difficulties adjusting to independent living.
“This change will provide young people with confidence that they will continue to be supported during their early adult years, just like other young people who continue to receive support from their families through this crucial period.”
Discretionary support will continue to be available up to the age of 25 when it is required, creating an additional safety net for those young people who need it.
The Children and Young People Amendment Bill 2024 (2) will also deliver other key Government commitments, including:
- the establishment of an external merits review process for child protection decisions in the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal, commencing from 1 July 2025, and
- a framework for Charters for young people, parents and families and carers involved in the child protection system to be prepared, maintained and formally notified.
“This Bill represents the second tranche of reform to the Children and Young People Act under Next Steps and includes provisions that will significantly improve our response to the needs of children, young people, and their families and carers,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
“The legislation fulfils our Parliamentary and Governing Agreement commitments related to the Children and Young People Act, and represents a significant step forward in our reform journey.
“We know there is more to do to modernise the Act, and the Community Services Directorate will continue to engage with stakeholders on further complex issues, including information sharing, fully embedding the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle, and a proposed new structure for statutory care orders.”
