The NSW State Government is the last state to extend state care to 21 years of age. This is a life-changing reform that will have enormous impacts on the lives of young people who are unable to live with their parents.
Chair of the Home Stretch campaign, Paul McDonald, said:
“It’s fantastic that the NSW Government has decided to get behind this important reform. Extending state care to 21 will be life-changing for young people who have been nervously wondering what will happen when their state care arrangements are terminated on their 18th birthdays.
As the responsible parent for the largest number of children and young people in care nationally, extending care is the simplest and most effective reform the NSW Government can make to transform the lives of around 1200 young people in foster, kinship and residential care. It’s an exciting moment to be able to look ahead and think about how much difference this simple reform will make to so many young lives in the years to come.”
Home Stretch has been advocating for an increase in support for young people in care to 21 years of age for many years. We congratulate the Home Stretch team for their efforts that has brought about this important reform in all states and territories in Australia.
