Assoc Prof Suellen Murray RMIT University

1. ‘With knowledge comes
responsibility’? International
social policy responses to
adult care-leavers
Assoc Prof Suellen Murray
RMIT University
BASPCAN Congress, 15 April 2015

2. RMIT University Slide 2
Overview
Key terms
Research methods
Findings
•Inquiries
•Apologies
•Redress schemes
•Good practice
Conclusion

3. RMIT University Slide 3
Key terms
Adult care-leaver: person who grew up in
care and is over the age of 25 years
Care: institutional forms of care such as
orphanages, industrial schools,
residential schools, children's homes, as
well as foster care.
Abuse: emotional, physical, sexual,
spiritual, loss of identity

4. RMIT University Slide 4
Research methods
– Extensive literature review
– Desk top review of policies and programs
– Face to face and phone interviews with key
stakeholders in Australia, UK, New Zealand,
Canada and Ireland
– Site visits to services
Varying social policy histories, geographies,
population groups and governance structures
are acknowledged

5. RMIT University Slide 5
Findings
• Similar experiences of care internationally
• Remarkably different social policy
responses
• A range of responses in each country
• Comprehensive responses in Ireland
• Examples of good practice across all
initiatives

6. RMIT University Slide 6
Inquiries
• Crucial means by which knowledge
produced
• Enabled adult care-leavers to recount
their experiences, have this history
recognised and assist in preventing
harm to children in the future
• National public inquiries held in
Australia, Ireland and Canada; UK in
progress
• Vary in time period, population groups,
their focus

7. Apologies
An apology involves – ‘accepting responsibility for
the wrong that was done, the expression of
sincere regret or remorse, assurance that the
wrong will not recur and reparation through
concrete measures (Law Commission of Canada,
2000, p. 83).
Formal apologies have been offered to some
population groups in some countries.
Apologies typically form a suite of initiatives.
RMIT University Slide 7

8. Redress schemes
Government-funded programs through which
adult care leavers have access to financial
compensation and other forms of reparations.
Various models in place – key factors include:
population; eligibility; assessment of financial
compensation; other provisions.
Redress schemes most controversial of social
policy responses – yet public inquiries and other
investigations have been well able to establish
that harm has been caused.
RMIT University Slide 8

9. Good practice
• Engagement of adult care-leavers in the
development and implementation of these
initiatives
• Wide communication about the initiatives
• Build in support for those participating
• Ensure staff have skills and knowledge to
work with adult care-leavers
• Embed principles of respect and dignity
RMIT University Slide 9

10. Conclusion
•Range of initiatives across five countries
•Examples of good practice
•But knowledge has not necessarily
brought responsibility
RMIT University Slide 10