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Research and Publications

Transitioning to Adulthood from Out-of-Home Care: Independence or Interdependence? 

In 2020, CREATE released a report titled Transitioning to Adulthood from Out-of-Home Care: Independence or Interdependence? This report dives into some of the issues faced by young people transitioning from care including housing, education, youth justice involvement and leaving care planning. Following on from our previous research our latest report investigates what has changed in the last 10 years for young people leaving care in Australia – what’s gotten worse, what’s improved, and what is the same. Our findings? We need to rethink the idea of “leaving care” altogether if we are to see a meaningful improvement in the lives of young people leaving care around Australia.

To learn more about our report launch and to download our media kit, head here. 

To watch the webinar launch, head here. 

We spoke to some of our awesome Young Consultants about their experiences leaving care, and the topics in the report that were meaningful to them. Hear their stories in this video below 

Take a look at our reports below

CREATE National Survey, 2018
Youth Justice Report - Young Person Version
Sibling Placement in Out-of-home care
What's the Answer? Young People's solutions for improving the transition to independence from out of home care
CREATE National Survey, 2018 Young Person Version
Youth Justice Report
Experiencing Out of home care in Australia
Transitioning from care report
GYOW Report
CREATE 2013 Report Card - Young Person Version
Views of Children and Young People in Care: Health
Report Card on Health
GYOW Report - Young Person Version
Transitioning from Care in Australia
Report Card on Education
Report Card: Transitioning from Care

Research Articles

CREATE research articles are aimed at informing the broader public, as well as service providers, about the issues affecting children and young people in care. We are committed to advancing the body of knowledge and evidence regarding the experiences of children and young people in the care system.

  1. McDowall, J. J. (2021). Extending out-of-home care support to 21 throughout Australia. Parity, 34(1), 4–5.

  2. McDowall, J. J. (2016). CREATE’s advocacy for young people transitioning from care in Australia. In P. Mendes & P. Snow (Eds.), Young people transitioning from out-of-home care: International research, policy and practice. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
  3. Reed, J. S. (2016). To improve the life outcomes for young people transitioning from statutory care to independence: An international perspective. Developing Practice, 44 (April), 37–47.
  4.  White, J., & Hudson, N. (2016). How do we identify and address barriers faced by young people leaving care?: Ask them. Parity, 29(1, February), 9–10.
  5. McDowall, J. J. (2012). Factors influencing transition-from-care planning in Australia. Developing Practice, 33 (Spring), 69–80.
  1. McDowall, J. J. (2010). Experiences of homelessness by care leavers in Australia. Parity, 23(5), 12–13.
  2. Browne, K., & Hall, A. (2012). Experiences of homelessness for young care leavers. Parity, 25(9), 82–83.
  1. McDowall, J. J. (2016). Are we listening? The need to facilitate participation in decision-making by children and young people in out-of-home care. Developing Practice, 44 (April), 77–93.
  2. McDowall, J. J. (2013). Participation of children and young people in decision-making in out-of-home care in Australia. Developing Practice, 36 (Spring), 41–51.
  3. Hall, A. (2012). It’s not a transition plan if the young person wasn’t involved. Developing Practice, 33 (Spring), 4–9.
  1. McDowall, J. J. (2016). Connection to culture by Indigenous children and young people in out-of-home care in Australia. Communities, Children and Families Australia, 10(1), 5–26.

Collaborative Reports

Talking with Young People about the National Framework

This booklet profiles conversations with young people regarding the Third Action Plan (2015-2018) of the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020. The National Framework was put together by the Australian Government and all state and territory Governments, to improve the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. CREATE partnered with the National Children’s Commissioner to talk with young people around Australia about a range of issues, including support for young parents and support for young people transitioning from care to adulthood.

Download here
Stepping Up for Our Kids

This publication showcases some of the positive outcomes achieved under the ACT’s five year out of home care strategy. A Step Up for Our Kids – One Step Can Make a Lifetime of Difference. The focus is on highlighting the voices of those with lived experience of the child protection system.

Download here

Check out our other resources and publications

Churchill Fellowship
Annual Reviews
Best Practice Guides
Our Advocacy
Tools and Resources

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This website was built in consultation with children and young people with a care experience. Thank you to all the young people involved in providing feedback and sharing your insights throughout this process.

CREATE Foundation acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples and Traditional Owners of the lands, skies and waters where we live and work. We pay deep respect to Elders, knowledge holders and community leaders across all Aboriginal communities.

We acknowledge that Australia is culturally rich with the oldest living cultures on earth. And we acknowledge over 60,000 years of growing kids strong, connected to culture and Country.

CREATE Foundation

National Office – Sydney
Suite 6.01, Level 6, 80 George St
PARRAMATTA NSW 2150

Phone: (02) 9267 1999

Email: create@create.org.au

ABN 69 088 075 058