Financial support to wards such as for clothing, tuition and medical expenses are much greater than for non-wards. Parents of non-wards remain guardians and so are expected to help financially. However, this usually does not happen. Fifty-five per cent of youth leave care and move to independent living rather than family reunification. Mostly this transition occurs with little understanding of necessary life skills.
Youth often have minimal direct contact with their case manager.
This is made worse by frequent changes in case manager. NGOs are being forced to become more business like and accountable for services they are contracted to provide. However, there is some concern that changes to their fundamental nature risks their viability and service capability. The 12 recommendations are aimed at improving accommodation options, matching needs to services, establishing better agency coordination, improving case management practices and establishing a long term partnership arrangement with NGOs.