Foster care payments to be extended until age 21 by new Liberal Government

YOUNG people in foster and kinship care will be able to receive government support payments until they turn 21 years old from the start of next year.

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CARERS of young people in foster and kinship care will receive government support payments until they turn 21, from the start of next year.

Currently, financial support to foster and kinships carers end when children turn 18.

State Child Protection Minister Rachel Sanderson said the age extension would improve outcomes for young people.

Child Protection Minister Rachel Sanderson

“Evidence shows that children that are supported in the family home past the age of 18 have better outcomes in education, employment, social skills and less mental health issues,” Ms Sanderson said.

“This commitment also means the state’s selfless foster carers do not have to shoulder the cost burden themselves, which means they could assist other young foster children in the future.”

Children who turn 18 after July 1 this year will be eligible to receive annual payments of $19,198 once the scheme starts next year.

Payments to children in emergency and residential care will still cease when they turn 18.

Anglicare SA chief executive Peter Sandeman said the initiative would allow foster carers to “finish the job”.

“Expecting kids in care to leave at 18 is just unreasonable so this restores some of the balance,” he said.

“It will give those young people a fighting chance to have better lives and contribute to our communities.”