Research shows that young care leaver women experience higher rates of pregnancy than those who have not been in out-of-home care (OOHC). They typically become pregnant at a younger age and are at increased risk of having their own children removed by the Child Protection. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of young OOHC mothers by extracting qualitative data from a larger longitudinal mixed-methods project called Navigating Through Life (NTL), which investigated long-term pathways and outcomes of young people transitioning from OOHC in WA. From the NTL study we identified a subset of young women, who were mothers (11 in total), and used their interviews to explore what barriers and challenges they experienced with the added complexity of motherhood.
Of the 11 women, aged between 18 – 25 years, four identified as Aboriginal and seven identified as non-Aboriginal. Eight women were single mothers, two mothers were co-parenting their children, and one mother did not have care of her children. We utilised the young mothers’ lived experiences and voices through the data to identify a hierarchy of themes. The overarching theme is that the system (child protection) is not meeting the needs of care leavers to support emerging adulthood and transitioning from care, particularly around female reproductive changes, and sexual education. The women described various structural barriers of being a young care leaver and a mother, and the genuine fear of having their own children removed by child protection. However, the women also expressed resilience, strength and to break the cycle of OOHC and provide a safe and loving environment for them and their children to thrive.
This research identified the need for improved leaving care plans to include parenting supports and sexual education, particularly for young OOHC women transitioning from care, with the hope that it will also reduce the rates of children being removed and stop the intergenerational cycle of OOHC. The findings have been discussed with the Department of Child Protection and Family Services and WA’s Homestretch team to help inform the ongoing roll out of the Homestretch Program in WA for OOHC leavers.determination
Renée holds a Master of Social Work and uses qualitative research methods to identify and challenge oppressive systemic structures that perpetuate disadvantage for vulnerable community members. Renée is dedicated to improving practice standards and social policy in the field of child protection through research and knowledge translation.
Ms Renée Usher
Research Assistant – Australian Centre for Child Protection / University of South Australia
