Better futures: supported accommodation for unaccompanied children and young people

Current research suggests that supported accommodation targeting unaccompanied children and young people with complex needs are policy and practice gaps in Australia. Further, there is a gap in supported accommodation models for young people 16–24 with complex needs, and, in particular, those who are not engaged in employment, education or training and who struggle to exit crisis accommodation.

This research aims to understand the ideal suite of supported accommodation services needed by unaccompanied children and young people aged 12–24 in contemporary Australia.

The research will address the following questions:

1. What are the diverse supported accommodation needs of unaccompanied children and young people aged 12–24 who are homeless/at risk of homelessness in Australia?
2. How well do existing supported accommodation models meet the needs of unaccompanied children and young people aged 12–24? What are the strengths and gaps in service provision?
3. What can be learned nationally and internationally about effective models of supported accommodation that could address identified gaps in service provision for unaccompanied children and young people aged 12–24 in Australia?
4. What ideal typology of supported accommodation provision for unaccompanied children and young people aged 12–24 is indicated by research evidence? What are the implications of this typology for policy and practice development in Australia?

Grounded by the lived expertise of unaccompanied children, young people and practitioners who support them, this mixed-method project will investigate the need, existing service strengths, gaps and opportunities, to determine best-practice supported accommodation models for unaccompanied children and young people aged 12–24 experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in Australia.

Lead Researcher: Associate Professor Catherine Robinson, University of Tasmania

Project Number:  41338