Professor Silke Meyer from Griffith University’s School of Allied Health, Sport and Social Work conducted a scoping review which examined research on older adolescents aged between 15-17 years.
“While there is extensive research on children in care generally, there is very limited evidence specifically dedicated to older teenagers when they enter care for the first time,” Meyer says.
“They are a unique cohort of young people and it is imperative we know more about their characteristics and level of support they need when entering care as they are more likely to display behavioural problems compared with younger cohorts.
“This is often due to cumulative but unaddressed adverse childhood experiences and complex family circumstances.”
The evidence identified revealed high rates of voluntary care entry, including parental relinquishment of care.
Older young people entering care for the first time were more likely to be affected by absent parenting than abuse and neglect in comparison to young children.
Meyer says there is a clear evidence gap with regards to trajectories and support needs for older young people entering care for the first time.
“This cohort and their families are likely to have several touch points with a range of service systems prior to care entry, creating opportunities for earlier, holistic, trauma-informed and child-centred support mechanisms,” she says.
“We need a better understanding of this group of teenagers so we can identify risks earlier which may reduce the likelihood of adolescents needing to enter care later in childhood.
“Additionally, older adolescents can have different experiences and needs than younger children as they are closer to adulthood, and may face unique challenges related to education, mental health, family relationships, housing, and transitioning to independence.
The research revealed these teenagers often present with high rates of behavioural challenges stemming from years of unaddressed adverse childhood experiences.
Many enter the system already managing neurodiversity, disabilities or intersecting vulnerabilities like youth justice involvement.
They are forced to navigate the trauma of removal while simultaneously facing immediate pressure to transition to independence, finish schooling, and secure future housing.
“Ultimately, we need more research to better understand the pathways into care for older teenagers, and hearing from them about their lived experiences, perspectives and support needs,” Meyer says.
The paper ‘Characteristics, circumstances and support needs of older young people entering care for the first time: A scoping review’ has been published in Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal and can be read here.
