Health (transitions)

Young people transitioning to independence from care or custody have high unmet health needs, from their time in care and before coming into care. On leaving care, they struggle to access the health care they have missed out on, to have their ongoing health needs met, and to achieve their aspirations to live healthy lives.

In addition to struggling to access health services, existing services may not recognise the multi-layered health and disability support needs of this cohort or have the capacity, specific professional expertise, and geographic reach to meet need.

Children’s agencies need to focus on ensuring that, when young people leave care or custody, they do so with the least possible health burden. Health services have an opportunity to engage the transitioning population in relational ways to support their transition to adulthood and meet their health needs, as well as building positive engagement with the health system. This can be with the support of the Transition Support service where needed.