1. Introduction to the research Elizabeth Fernandez Professor, School of Social Sciences, UNSW Chief Investigator 18 February 2015 John Niland Scientia Building, Gallery 1 www.forgottenaustralians.unsw.edu.au Email: lofa@unsw.edu.aulofa@unsw.edu.au Phone: 02 9385 1516

2. Background People’s experiences of care are documented in pivotal Inquiry reports – Australian Parliament’s Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee – Righting the Record: Report on Child Migration – HREOC Bringing them Home Report – National Inquiry into the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their families Biographical accounts of Forgotten Australians and Child Migrants Survey of CLAN (Care leavers Australian Network) Long-term Outcomes of Forgotten Australians (LOFA) Study

3. Aims of the study Specifically this study will Explore patterns of older care leavers’ experiences and life trajectories in care and post care Identify factors in their past or present experiences that are protective or accentuate risks Identify their current unmet needs and ways to support them Analyse ways in which personal strengths and support from professionals, families and friends help them surmount challenges to achieve positive outcomes; Apply learnings to contemporary out of home care and after care to enhance favourable life outcomes and transition services for those in care systems currently. Long-term Outcomes of Forgotten Australians (LOFA) Study

4. Research Strategy The LOFA study includes three components: Survey questionnaire (online or paper based, self-completed or facilitated by telephone) Individual interviews (a limited number in different states) Focus groups (across different states) Long-term Outcomes of Forgotten Australians (LOFA) Study

5. Who are we inviting to participate We invite all Forgotten Australians, Child Migrants and members of the Stolen Generation who were in care of left care during the period 1930 – 1989. Data collection will extend over 2015 Long-term Outcomes of Forgotten Australians (LOFA) Study

6. Areas of Study Experiences in care and challenges confronted: entry to care, types of care, placement movements, schooling, relationships with staff and peers, work practices, contact with family, and significant negative and positive events Experiences of transitioning out of care: access to after care supports and services, service availability, access and barriers, formal and informal support Life outcomes after care – housing, education, work, health, wellbeing, relationships and connectedness, stress, coping, resilience Perceptions of current service needs, and how ‘care’ systems can be improved for children and young people in the future Long-term Outcomes of Forgotten Australians (LOFA) Study

7. The research team Chief Investigators: Professor Elizabeth Fernandez - Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences UNSW Australia Dr Jung-Sook Lee - Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences UNSW Australia Professor Mark Courtney - University of Chicago Professor Mike Stein - University of York Partner Investigators: Dr Wendy Foote - Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies Inc. Dr Rebecca Gray - Relationships Australia Dr Stephen Mondy, Ms Deirdre Cheers - CatholicCare Broken Bay Ms Caroline Carroll, Ms Stella Conroy - Alliance for Forgotten Australians Ms Karyn Walsh - Micah Projects Inc. Mr Julian Pocock, Mr Simon Gardiner - Berry Street Victoria Long-term Outcomes of Forgotten Australians (LOFA) Study

8. Projected Outcomes Findings from this research will be used: To promote the present needs of this population Provide a knowledge base for developing responsive services Identify areas for preventive and rehabilitative intervention Apply learnings to responding to children who are currently in care and will be care leavers in the future Long-term Outcomes of Forgotten Australians (LOFA) Study

9. Phone: 02 9385 1516 Email: lofa@unsw.edu.au www.forgottenaustralians.unsw.edu.au