Young people transitioning from out-of-home care in Victoria, Australia: Strengthening support services for dual clients of Child Protection and Youth Justice

A significant proportion of young people leaving out-of-home care (OHC) experience involvement with the Youth Justice system, exposing them to further risks and reducing their likelihood of full social and economic engagement in mainstream society. However, little is known about the experiences of this dual order client group as they transition from care. This chapter reviews the findings of a research project based on a partnership between Monash University and seven non-government child and youth welfare agencies in Victoria, Australia, and identifies practices and policies that could reduce the over-representation of young people leaving OHC via the Youth Justice system. The findings suggest the utility of incorporating a trauma-informed approach to preventing and addressing offending behaviour in young people in, and leaving, OHC.