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Young People Transitioning from Out-of-home Care and Access to Higher Education: A Critical Review of the Literature

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 December 2014

Philip Mendes ,
Dee Michell  and
Jacqueline Z. Wilson
Philip Mendes*
Affiliation:
Department of Social Work, Monash University Caulfield Campus, East Caulfield, Australia
Dee Michell
Affiliation:
Gender Studies and Social Analysis, Adelaide University, North Terrace Campus
Jacqueline Z. Wilson
Affiliation:
Faculty of Education and Arts, Federation University, Mt Helen Campus
*
address for correspondence: Associate Professor Philip Mendes, Department of Social Work, Monash University Caulfield Campus, PO Box 197, East Caulfield, 3145, Australia. E-mail: Philip.Mendes@monash.edu
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Abstract

Young people transitioning from out-of-home care are known to have poor educational outcomes compared to their non-care peers. Yet little is known about the experiences or needs of the small numbers of Australian care leavers who enter higher education. This article critically examines existing Australian and international research on the access of care leavers to higher education. A group of pre-care, in-care, transition from care and post-care factors are identified as either hindering or assisting care leavers to maximise their educational opportunities. Some specific policy and practice reforms are recommended to enhance opportunities for Australian care leavers to participate in and complete higher education.

Keywords

care leavershigher educationdisadvantagepolicy and practice reform
Type
Articles
Information
Children Australia , Volume 39 , Issue 4: ATTACHMENT AND TRAUMA INFORMED PRACTICE , December 2014 , pp. 243 - 252
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2014 

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