Post-school transitions for children in out-of-home care: evidence from the Australian Census Longitudinal Dataset

Abstract

ABSTRACT [While many children living in out-of-home care aspire to complete higher education, research from the Australian Census Longitudinal Dataset suggests that very few are likely to achieve this goal compared to children living at home. These findings suggest (1) children from out-of-home care residing with a carer (i.e. children in foster care) are one-third as likely than their peers to progress to higher education, (2) transitioning to university is associated with parental education and employment, however, children from foster care are less likely to be living in homes with characteristics associated with transitioning to university, (3) post-school education for foster care children may be improved by placement with parents who have achieved a Year 12 equivalent or higher education status.