Aftercare is the term used to describe the planning and support put in place to meet the needs of a young person who is leaving statutory care at 18 years of age. It is essential that all young people leaving care and provided with the type of transitional support that their individual situation requires. The most important requirements for young people leaving care are for continuity of relationships; secure, suitable accommodation as well as further education, employment or training.
Overall, of the approximately 6,400 children in State care, 93% are in a foster care family placement. A sizable number of young people, on reaching 18 in foster care remain living with their foster carers, either full-time, or part-time if they leave home to continue in 3rd level education.
The most vulnerable group of young people are those leaving residential care or short-term foster care placements. Children, who come into care late, in their mid to late teens, may not have developed the relationships with staff or aftercare workers that help them achieve good outcomes. Young people who do not have family support from a foster carer or family base are assisted in finding accommodation in supported lodgings, sheltered housing or independent accommodation and encourage and supported financially in furthering their training and education.
As the Deputy is aware, the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2015 is currently progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Bill obliges the Child and Family Agency, following as assessment of need, to prepare an aftercare plan identifying relevant aftercare supports for an eligible child or eligible young person. The legislative provisions regarding aftercare are being strengthened in response to concerns that there was insufficient focus in this area and that such planning was not taking place on a properly structured and consistent basis.
The transition to independent adulthood can be challenging for many young people and a key factor in achieving success is ensuring that assessment, preparation and planning for leaving care begins in the years prior to leaving care and continues as part of the care planning process. This work is based on collaboration with the young person, their carers and partner agencies to generate an aftercare plan that is specific to the individual young person’s needs. In instances where a young person leaving care has experienced trauma and / or a developmental delay and is not yet ready to embrace independent living, due regard will be given within the aftercare planning process to linkages with appropriate, specialist, adult services.
Some young people, on leaving care, declare themselves independent of state services and are reluctant to engage. As adults, they are entitled to refuse an aftercare service if that is their wish.
However, the current Bill provides that a young person may reengage with the Agency up until they are 20 years old (inclusive) to request an aftercare plan where none was previously prepared. Also, the Bill provides that the Agency shall review the operation of an aftercare plan when requested to do so by a young person (or someone acting on their behalf) where
(i) There has been a significant change in the circumstances of the young person or
(ii) The assistance being provided under the aftercare plan does not meet the need identified or
(iii) Additional support requirements for the young person have arisen.
Also, it is current practice for the Child and Family Agency to continue to attempt to engage with particularly vulnerable young people and this practice will continue.
