Teens turfed from state care push to increase maximum age to 21

Queensland teenagers have shared the heartache of being forced out of state care at age 18 in the hopes other children in care will be allowed to stay in their homes longer.

Shania McLennan and Marie Miles Godfrey have experienced leaving the care system as a teenager. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Queensland teenagers have shared the heartache of being forced out of state care at 18 in the hopes other children in care will be allowed to stay in their homes longer.

Many teenagers turfed from the care system suffer mental health issues, struggle with addiction, fall pregnant, suicide or end up in jail, and Queensland is one of only two Australian states yet to extend its care arrangements.

The Home Stretch campaign on Friday renewed its call for the State Government to extend the option of care for young people in state care to 21.

Shania McLennan, Jayden Mason and Marie Miles Godfrey have experienced leaving the care system as teenagers. Picture: zak Simmonds

Marie Miles Godfrey, 19, was among 11 young Queenslanders who shared in a series of videos her distress of losing her safe place in the foster care system.

She began dwelling at the age of 15 about how she would take care of herself when she was kicked out of care by 18.

Like many former children in care, Ms Miles Godfrey has felt criticism for receiving housing subsidies and financial assistance to transition to adulthood- when she would “give anything” to instead have received guidance and a safe family home.

“I’m really struggling now because no one bothered to check up on me,” she said.

“I believe if someone had bothered to check in one me, or pop around maybe they would have seen how badly I was getting hurt in an abusive relationship.

“I moved out of home at 17 and I did everything to try and prepare myself for the real world but there still just wasn’t enough support mentally or physically.”

Ms Miles Godfrey said it was hard to comprehend why children in care, who often have more trauma than children living in family homes, were expected to have the skills to navigate life alone before most others.

Shania McLennan and Jayden Mason had similar stories, and agreed they lacked support in the most fundamental years of their lives.

Mr Mason said young people who have come from foster homes or residential care often look at a correctional facility as an appealing option.

“We’ve never had that guidance around responsibilities and as soon as we hit 18 we are slammed with them,” he said.

“We haven’t been raised that way, we haven’t been taught things, so we’re not going to be able to cope.

“So some people will look for a path where they don’t have to deal with responsibilities.”

Shania McLennan and Marie Miles Godfrey want the State care maximum age to be increased to 21. Picture: zak Simmonds

Mr Mason, Ms Miles Godfrey, and Ms McLennan chose to speak up about their experiences in a series of videos for Home Stretch because they don’t want anyone younger than them to experience their struggle.

Home Stretch Chair Paul McDonald said the “humbling and confronting” videos were a direct message to the Queensland Government.

He believes extending care in Queensland would reduce juvenile justice issues, homelessness, unwanted pregnancy and substance abuse.

“It’s quite bewildering that the Premier and Minister Linard have not yet made this decision and it bewilders these young people,” Mr Mcdonald said.

“We see 500 young people every year in Queensland are terminated into homelessness and struggle, and they can easily turn that around.”

Research by Deloitte Access Economics found that extending care to the age of 21 could return $5.90 in future savings for every dollar invested by the State Government, homelessness among the group would be halved and rates of higher education participation would increase.

Minister for Children Leanne Linard said she regularly met with young people who had a current or past experience in care to hear their stories and learn from their experiences.

She said their voices were vital in assisting to continuously improve the system.

“I, and the Palaszczuk Government is committed to doing more to support young people who have been in out-of-home care as they transition to adulthood and leave care,” Ms Linard said.

“To date, the government has implemented a variety of measures, including fortnightly carer allowances for young people remaining in foster care up to 19 years of age.

“In addition, young people aged 18 to 25 years who have been in care can be referred to the Next Step Plus initiative to receive tailored support.”

Youth Housing and Reintegration Services and the After Care Services program also support young people aged 12 to 21 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and who are transitioning or have transitioned from care.

The Queensland Parliament is soon due to discuss the Child Protection Reform and Other Legislation Amendment Bill which, among other goals, aims to enhance the voices of children in out of home care in decisions that affect them.

The Home Stretch Campaign is supported by several organisations including Anglicare.