Is there a Role for Adult Protection Services in the Lives of Young People with Disabilities Transitioning from Out-of-home Care?

Abstract

Many care leavers with disabilities face difficulties as they transition from out-of-home care (OoHC), and suffer multiple, ongoing forms of disadvantage after they leave care. This paper is drawn from a study comprising six focus groups, involving 21 participants employed in disability and OoHC services in Victoria, Australia. The findings suggest that care leavers with disabilities do not receive the transitional and postcare support and housing they need. Many are transitioned into housing options that are unsuitable for their needs, or unsafe. The argument of this paper is that care leavers with disabilities may benefit from adult guardianship legislation. When appropriate an application for a guardianship order should be made prior to the young person exiting care, to enable a smooth transition between the child and adult systems. Adult protection services with an advocacy function should be given the opportunity to advocate for care leavers with disabilities.

许多残障人士在离开无家者看护项目（OoHC）之后面临困顿，遭遇种种不利。本文调查了澳大利亚维多利亚省6个焦点群体的21位受雇于残障及OoHC服务中心的参与者。调查发现，脱离看护的残障人士没有得到他们所需要的过渡期及后看护期的支持和住房。许多人临时住进了不符合他们需要或对他们来说不安全的住处。作者指出，脱离看护的残障人士可以从有关成年人监护的立法中受益。如果情况允许，应优先考虑脱离看护的年轻人的监护申请，以便让他们从儿童期顺利过渡到成年。成年保护服务体系应给脱离看护的残障者提供机会。

Keywords:

• Youth Justice
• Child Abuse
• Child Protection
• Disability
• Human Rights
• Out-of-home Care

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the ANZ Trustees Alfred Felton Bequest, whose support is gratefully acknowledged. The author also wishes to thank Associate Professor Pamela Snow at Monash University, Michael Wells at the Office of the Public Advocate, and three reviewers for their very helpful comments.