This is the final report of the evaluation of the Salvation Army Westcare Continuing Care Program, which was based in Melbourne’s Western Metropolitan Region from 2013-19. The program aimed to provide relationship-based support to assist the planning, preparation and support needs of young people during their transition from out-of-home care (OOHC) to independent living.

Young people transitioning from out-of-home care (OOHC), often called care leavers or care experienced young people, are recognized globally as a vulnerable group. This is due to a range of circumstances including exposure to childhood disadvantage and sometimes trauma prior to entering care, varied OOHC experiences in terms of levels of placement and carer stability; and limited assistance from family and community connections as they transition from care into adulthood. Nevertheless, they are not a homogeneous group, and vary greatly in terms of their developmental needs and capacity at the time of transition.

The evaluation of the Continuing Care program spanned the 3-year funded period of the program with data collected during service delivery to inform the interim report and again after service delivery had ceased to inform this final report. It aimed to investigate the ways in which program services were delivered and how effective the service was in improving outcomes for young people transitioning from care in the Western Metropolitan region of Melbourne, Australia. Specifically, the evaluation examined the impact of the support provided on minimising and/or preventing unplanned exits from care; on improving young people’s skills, resources and supports as they manage living independently of child protection supports; and, in assisting young people to access housing, education, training and employment. The evaluation also considered whether the support provided had an impact on preventing young people in the program from involvement with housing crisis, the criminal justice system, and mental health and alcohol and other drug services.