Sharon Bessell Crawford School of Public Policy The Australian National University

1. Bridging the Gap between Vision and Reality: Realising the Human Rights of Children in Alternative Care Presented at the World Conference on Social Work and Social Development 8-12 July 2012 Stockholm, Sweden Sharon Bessell Crawford School of Public Policy The Australian National University sharon.bessell@anu.edu.au

2. Out of Home Care in Australia ‘Alternative accommodation for children under 18 years of age who are unable to live with their parents, where the State or Territory makes a financial payment or where a financial payment has been offered but declined.’ FAHCSIA 38,000 children (2011) 93% in home-based care Number of children in out of home care doubled between 1997 and 2006

3. AT STATE LEVEL: CHARTERS OF RIGHTS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUT OF HOME CARE • Queensland • New South Wales • Victoria • South Australia • Western Australia • Tasmania • Australian Capital Territory • (not Northern Territory)

4. AT COMMONWEALTH (NATIONAL) LEVEL: NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUT OF HOME CARE NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION FRAMEWORK NATIONAL CHILDREN’S COMMISSIONER TO BE ESTABLISHED All underpinned by ideas of children’s human rights and influenced by the UNCRC

5. Children and Young People’s Experiences Two Studies Total of 62 children and young people with experience of out of home care CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S EXPERIENCES RHETORIC OF HUMAN RIGHTS

6. POLICIES CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S EXPERENCES Often long waiting periods and complicated processes to access benefits and services ‘I went through winter with thongs [lightweight sandals] and then got shoes in summer.’ ‘You have to ask for clothing vouchers and the workers can’t give them straight away. The big boss has to sign off. I have to wait three weeks for a $50 clothing voucher – and I really needed it.’ • Access to and support for health care and basic needs

7. POLICIES CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S EXPERENCES Concerned about treatment at school, choice of school ‘There are bullies in school – and it can be much worse for kids in care.’ • Focus on access to education, completion of schooling

8. POLICIES CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S EXPERENCES No choice on the things that matter: Choice of case worker Choice of placement Choice of carer Placement with siblings • Right to participate, to be consulted or to ‘have a say’ ‘The only choice you have in care is to run away’

9. EXPLAINING THE GAP PROCESSES ARE HIGHLY BUREAUCRATIC AND INACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN CONCERN WITH ACCOUNTABILITY DOES NOT EXTEND TO ACCOUNTABILITY TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE PROCESSESARE PRIORITISED OVER RELATIONSHIPS THE ABSOLUTE IMPORTANCE OF RELATIONSHIPS TO CHILDREN IS NOT ADEQUATELY RECOGNISED