To investigate programs that support the transition of young people in foster care into university

Anastasia’s Fellowship looked at the particular issues affecting young people leaving care and heading to university, by seeking to better understanding their educational disadvantage in comparison with others in their age cohort, and the explicit support the need both in accessing university education, and while on-course.

Anastasia’s Fellowship investigated the supports are in place in jurisdictions in the UK, Europe and the US, how they have been implemented, and the significant improvements experienced in the proportion of care leavers enrolling in post -secondary education.

One of the key recommendations of Anastasia’s Fellowship was that state and federal governments collaborate to extend post-care support to Australia’s care leavers until age 21 or until they finish their studies, with a strong emphasis on building independence and life skills. She also recommended that Australian universities develop policies specifically targeted to care leavers, including recruitment, admissions, outreach, accommodation, data collection and scholarships/bursaries, and that care service-providers deliver practical tools and training to carers, case-workers and residential workers to equip them to encourage and guide young people in care towards higher education.