Falling through the cracks or closing up the loopholes? One Young Person’s Experience

1. Falling through the cracks or closing up the loopholes?One Young Person’s Experience A case study of policy dissonance between state child protection systems and federal social security law Karen Bevan UnitingCare Burnside

2. In care Leaving care Transitioning to independence Relationships and connections Choices and constraints Adele’s Story

3. Independent Having a go at re-establishing her relationship with her mum A person leaving out of home care House sharing with mum Trying to set herself up How Adele sees herself

4. In care – entitled to ‘special protection and assistance from the state’ Leaving care – aftercare planning Aftercare – entitled to support Implicit understanding that being in care creates rights and entitlements How NSW legislation interprets Adele’s circumstances

5. Living with mother = dependency Student - no independent income Past care experience not currently relevant due to self-placement prior to formal exit Conditional entitlement to limited income support through the lense of family relationship and income How Youth Allowance interprets Adele’s circumstances

6. Individual young person who has been independent and has significant strengths Care leaver – entitlements and needs Young person facing additional risks Individual young person with entitlements and needs that are specific to her circumstances How Burnside understands Adele’s circumstances

7. In NSW – joint perceptions Care experience core to understanding Care leaver - entitled to assistance In need of support Vulnerable Entitlements Social Security system Care experience – conditionally considered Entitlement is conditional on family dependence Conditionality

8. The role of state and federal governments Policy and legislation Rights and the new paternalism Young people: citizens now or emerging adults Children in care ….. Young people in family Falling through the cracks or closing up the loopholes? Policy Dissonance

9. Vulnerability and unintended consequences Cracks and loopholes Adele’s experience: living in the dissonance Policy Dissonance:the unintended consequences

10. kbevan@burnside.org.au www.burnside.org.au