This care can be temporary, medium-term, or long-term and includes various placements such as foster care, kinship care, residential care, and emergency after-hours care. The primary aim is to provide safety and well-being for these children, often due to reasons like abuse, neglect, parental substance abuse, mental health issues, domestic violence, and structural disadvantage.
Out-of-home care (OoHC) is a crucial component of child protection services in Australia. It refers to temporary, medium-term, or long-term living arrangements for children and young people who cannot safely reside in their family homes due to various child safety concerns. This comprehensive overview will explore the key aspects of out-of-home care, including its definition, types of care arrangements, reasons for placement, and the impact on children and families.
Out-of-home care is defined as overnight care for children under 18 years of age who are unable to live with their families due to child safety concerns[2]. This care arrangement is typically approved by the department responsible for child protection and involves ongoing case management and financial support for carers[2].
The scope of out-of-home care includes:
It’s important to note that out-of-home care excludes certain arrangements, such as:
Out-of-home care encompasses various placement options to meet the diverse needs of children and young people. The main types of care arrangements include:
Foster care is one of the most common forms of out-of-home care. In this arrangement, children are placed with foster carers who have been assessed and approved by the relevant child protection department or agency. Foster carers provide a family-like environment and are responsible for the day-to-day care of the child.
Kinship care involves placing a child with relatives or members of their extended family network. This type of care aims to maintain the child’s connection to family, culture, and community. Kinship care can be particularly important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, as it helps preserve their cultural identity and connections.
Residential care refers to placement in a residential building where the child is cared for by paid staff. This type of care is typically used for children with complex needs or those who may have difficulty in family-based care settings. Residential care can include group homes, therapeutic residential care, and intensive residential treatment programs.
After hours placement is a short-term emergency care option for children who require immediate protection outside of regular business hours[3]. This type of care ensures that children have a safe place to stay until a more suitable long-term arrangement can be made.
District care refers to care arrangements managed by local child protection offices or districts. These placements may involve a range of care options tailored to the specific needs of children in a particular area.
Transitional high needs care is designed for children and young people with complex needs who require specialised support and interventions. This type of care often involves a higher level of supervision and therapeutic support to address specific behavioural, emotional, or mental health challenges.
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Children may be placed in out-of-home care for various reasons, all of which are centred around ensuring their safety and wellbeing. The main factors contributing to out-of-home care placements include:
One of the primary reasons for placing children in out-of-home care is substantiated allegations of abuse or neglect[3]. This can include physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect. When child protection authorities determine that a child is at risk of significant harm in their family home, they may decide that out-of-home care is necessary to ensure the child’s safety.
Alcohol and drug misuse by parents or caregivers can significantly impact their ability to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children[3]. In cases where parental substance abuse poses a risk to the child’s wellbeing, out-of-home care may be required.
Parental mental health problems can sometimes interfere with a parent’s capacity to care for their children adequately. When mental health issues compromise a child’s safety or wellbeing, out-of-home care may be considered as a temporary or long-term solution.
Exposure to family and domestic violence can have severe negative impacts on children’s physical and emotional wellbeing. In situations where children are at risk due to ongoing family violence, out-of-home care may be necessary to ensure their safety and provide a stable living environment.
While poverty alone is not a reason for removing children from their families, it can contribute to other risk factors that may lead to out-of-home care placement. Structural disadvantage, such as inadequate housing, food insecurity, or lack of access to essential services, can create challenges for families in providing a safe and nurturing environment for their children.
For some families, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, intergenerational trauma resulting from historical policies and practices can contribute to ongoing challenges in family functioning. This may sometimes lead to the need for out-of-home care placements, although efforts are made to keep children connected to their culture and community.
The out-of-home care system in Australia is managed by state and territory governments, with each jurisdiction having its own legislation, policies, and procedures. However, there are national standards and principles that guide the provision of out-of-home care across the country.
The primary objectives of the out-of-home care system in Australia include:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are significantly overrepresented in the out-of-home care system. As of 30 June 2021, about 1 in 17 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were in out-of-home care, at a rate of 58 per 1,000[2]. This overrepresentation is a critical issue that requires targeted strategies and culturally appropriate interventions.
To address this issue, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle is applied across Australia. This principle aims to:
Children and young people in out-of-home care receive various support services to address their needs and promote their wellbeing. These services may include:
Each child in out-of-home care is assigned a case manager who is responsible for overseeing their care plan, coordinating services, and ensuring their needs are met. Case managers work closely with carers, families, and other professionals involved in the child’s life.
Education is a crucial aspect of a child’s development, and children in out-of-home care often require additional support to achieve their educational goals. This may include:
In New South Wales, for example, all preschool and school-aged children in out-of-home care in government schools must have personalised learning and support planning prepared within 30 days of the school becoming aware of their entry into statutory out-of-home care[5].
Children in out-of-home care often have complex health and mental health needs. Support services may include:
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, as well as children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, cultural support is essential. This may involve:
For young people approaching adulthood, support services focus on preparing them for independent living. This may include:
The out-of-home care system in Australia faces several challenges and is undergoing continuous reform to improve outcomes for children and young people. Some key areas of focus include:
The number of children entering out-of-home care has been increasing, and their needs are becoming more complex. This has put pressure on the system to provide appropriate placements and support services[3].
Ensuring stable placements for children in out-of-home care is crucial for their wellbeing and development. Efforts are being made to reduce the number of placement changes and provide more long-term, stable care arrangements.
Attracting, training, and retaining skilled foster carers and child protection workers is an ongoing challenge. Initiatives are underway to improve support for carers and professionalise the out-of-home care workforce.
There is an increasing focus on early intervention and family preservation programs to reduce the number of children entering out-of-home care. These programs aim to support families to address issues and keep children safely at home where possible.
Reducing the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care is a national priority. Strategies include increasing the involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations in child protection decision-making and service delivery.
Improving support for young people transitioning from out-of-home care to independent living is a key area of reform. This includes extending support beyond 18 years of age and providing more comprehensive assistance with education, employment, and housing.
Out-of-home care plays a vital role in protecting vulnerable children and young people in Australia. While the system faces ongoing challenges, continuous reform efforts aim to improve outcomes and ensure that children in care receive the support they need to thrive and reach their full potential.
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