I have been advised by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, that at the end of September 2016, there were 1,841 young people between the age of 18 years and 22 years inclusive who were in receipt of an aftercare service. This was an increase of 78 over the end of 2015. Figures and information on the young people's accommodation type when leaving care is provided in the table below:
|
Accommodation type
|
2015
|
Q3 2016
|
|
Residential care
|
5%
|
6% (102)
|
|
Remained with foster carers
|
46%
|
46% (850)
|
|
Independent Living
|
27%
|
26% (484)
|
|
Returned to family/Home
|
11%
|
10% (177)
|
|
Supported Lodgings
|
3%
|
3% (57)
|
|
* Other accommodation
|
8%
|
9% (171)
|
*Other accommodation refers to, among others, psychiatric services, supported living for young mothers, disability services and detention centres.
Tusla has advised that any young person who is identified as homeless after leaving care is prioritised at steering aftercare meetings and an interagency response is developed to meet their needs. These committees facilitate the delivery of interagency wrap around aftercare plans for young people, particularly for those with complex needs, including housing requirements. This information is not currently collected nationally by Tusla. However I intend to review this gap on enactment of the legislation.
Under the current National Leaving and Aftercare Policy of Tusla, all young people leaving care who have been in care for 12 months on their 16th birthday or for 12 consecutive months prior to their 18th birthday are entitled to an aftercare plan. Tusla is currently reviewing the National Leaving and Aftercare Policy in line with the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015. Tusla welcomes this new legislation which will place the provision of an aftercare plan on a statutory footing. Tusla will continue to work in partnership with other state agencies to ensure that care leavers are provided with a robust and comprehensive aftercare plan.
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.
The supports provided to the young person will be based on their assessed needs which can vary widely. Advice, guidance, support and signposting are key elements of this service and these supports are available to all care leavers. For those young people who are not in training or education, aftercare services have a key role in providing support to them in liaising with the relevant departments and agencies in accessing financial assistance, employment opportunities, training or supporting them to return to education
In addition to the aftercare planning and supports provided by Tusla, Rebuilding Ireland – the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness commits to ensuring that young people leaving State care and at risk of homelessness are identified and catered for through appropriate housing and other supports. For the first time, the provision of accommodation for those leaving State care may be funded under the Capital Assistance Scheme of the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
