Supporting young people with an intellectual disability transitioning from out-of-home care to adult life in Queensland, Australia

Abstract

Young people with mild or borderline intellectual disability exiting out-of-home care (OHC) are a vulnerable group. Experiences of intellectual disability; abuse and neglect; and OHC present significant challenges for their transition to adult life. Many experience poor outcomes; gaps in life skills; and few supportive relationships. Many are reliant on services, but face barriers to effective support in mainstream services unresponsive to intellectual disability; and adult disability services lacking knowledge of trauma and OHC experiences. Young people with intellectual disability remain in the margins of OHC research. This chapter discusses findings of a recent qualitative study of six adults with intellectual disability who exited OHC in Queensland, Australia; and details their lived experience of adult life after OHC. Challenges and opportunities for practice are discussed