Building a best practice model for care leavers (ex-residents of institutional out-of-home care) entering aged care

The challenge

Australia’s vulnerable group of older care leavers, who spent time in institutional care as a child, are now transitioning to aged care. Many suffered abuse and neglect during childhood and into adolescence. Now in their 60s and 70s, this group of so-called ‘forgotten Australians’ face the worrying prospect of returning to managed care which could ‘trigger’ painful memories. This study seeks to understand their aged care needs and advance a best practice model of care so they can stay in their homes longer and transition into more supportive models of residential care.

Our impact

• Advancing innovative strategies to assist care leavers entering aged care.
• A deeper understanding of the lived experience of care leavers, and how that influences specific needs within aged care services and settings.
• Supporting aged care providers to develop policies to identify care leavers, and to develop the required training to meet their needs.
• Advancing a best practice model of care including specialist programs to minimise re-traumatisation of care leavers and support equity of access and outcomes in aged care.
• Supporting the development of a National Aged Care Action Plan for care leavers.

Project leads

Led by Monash University’s Professor Philip Mendes the project team includes a lived experience researcher Sarah Morris and collaboration with the Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN).

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Project resources & knowledge

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Project images – media & conference presentation

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Key project information

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For further information please contact Professor Philip Mendes: Philip.Mendes@monash.edu

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