Poor post-care outcomes for young adults with an intellectual disability
A report on the life outcomes of young adults with an intellectual disability who leave state care at the age of 18 indicates that many face continued disadvantages such as unemployment, homelessness and abuse. Findings also indicate that disadvantage is being passed on to the children of these young adults. Research for the report was conducted in Queensland by members of the Community Living Association, a support group for people with an intellectual disability. A total of 43 young people (14 male, 29 female, average age= 20.8 years) were interviewed as part of the report.
Snapshot of participants:
- 94% were unemployed
- at least 71% (possibly as high as 88%) had been victims of crime, mostly sexual assault and rape
- 60% reported having contact with mental health services
- 44% reported to have engaged in substance abuse
- 59% had experienced homelessness
- 17% had been charged with a criminal offence; 10% had been charged with more than one offence
- 13% had obtained a Year 12 certificate; 15% had obtained a Year 10 certificate
- approximately 42% of those surveyed were now parents. All of these were females aged 17–24 years (n= 17), 47% of whom have more than one child. Of the 26 children born to these mothers (aged up to four years), only one child has not been the subject of child protection intervention.
The report contains a series of recommendations designed to improve outcomes for young people with intellectual disabilities who are taken into care, including an exploration of ways to provide continuing support for these young people as they leave state care.
Source:
Jackson, R., O’Connor, M., & Chenoweth, L. 2006, Journeys of exclusion, Community Living Association, Nundah, Queensland, [viewed 1/03/07].
Courier Mail, 14/02/07, p.2.