Better care: breaking the cycle for homeless children and young people  

Better care: breaking the cycle for homeless children and young people  

In 2023–24, more than 42,000 young people aged 12-24 presented alone to Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) in Australia – equivalent to 15% of all clients, and 67% of all clients aged 12-24. Despite this, child and youth homelessness receives little attention in government policy, and interviews on the ground suggest the most vulnerable may be turned away from supported accommodation for being too high risk.

The result is services do not always meet their age-related and developmental needs – so what would it take to ensure unaccompanied children and young people get the care they need?

This webinar unpacks new AHURI research, Better futures: rethinking supported accommodation for unaccompanied children and young people.

The discussion will explore what unaccompanied young people and homelessness and youth outreach practitioners experience within the system, what lessons can be learned, and what policy and practice could be developed to better align services to young people’s needs.

Lead author, Associate Professor Dr Catherine Robinson (University of Tasmania) will discuss the key findings of the research with Sharon Gough (CEO, Indigo Junction) and Jane Gaetani-Black (CEO, Karinya Youth Services Tas), facilitated by Dr Tom Alves (AHURI).

Who should attend: Anyone shaping or implementing policy relating to youth homelessness, and anyone interested in improving care systems for this cohort.

Speakers