Fay Alford, director of the Foster Care Association WA, has fostered 90 kids and adopted three of her foster children. Photo: Ruchitra Singh. 
Barry Krost, a former foster child, struggled to transition into adulthood. Photo: Ruchitra Singh. 
Shannieka Martino, a former foster child, was almost homeless after leaving foster care. Photo: Ruchitra Singh. 
Anthea Krost, Barry’s Foster mum, believes there is support from Department of Child Protection for young people leaving care. Photo: Ruchitra Singh. 
Kristie Dignam, a foster mum, is supporting the age limit increase. Photo: Ruchitra Singh.
Most Australian teenagers, when they turn 15 years old, are midway through secondary school and dreaming of the day they can learn to drive. However, at 15, young people in foster care are given a leaving care plan to help ease their transition into adulthood. Countries such as New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Scotland have now increased the age young teenagers in care can remain in the system to give them more choice.
Should Australia learn from its neighbours and re-evaluate the policies for young people in care? In the video, we discuss why organisations want an increase in the age limit for young teenagers who choose to stay in care.