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Towards a National Policy Framework for Care Leavers in Australian Higher Education

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Young People Transitioning from Out-of-Home Care

Abstract

International research has found that care leavers rarely transition to higher education in the UK, Europe and the USA. In Australia, however, there has been a paucity of research into the under-representation of care leavers in higher education. This chapter reviews the findings of a national research project into the university access and achievement of care leavers. The project was led by La Trobe University and involved four key stages: a global literature review; analysis of relevant data sources; an online survey of public universities; and interviews with community service organizations. Findings and recommendations are considered in the context of international research and policy initiatives.

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Acknowledgement

This chapter is based on research funded through an external research grant provided by the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education at Curtin University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Access & Achievement Research Unit, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Andrew Harvey & Lisa Andrewartha

  2. Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Patricia McNamara

Authors
  1. Andrew Harvey
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  2. Patricia McNamara
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  3. Lisa Andrewartha
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Monash University, Victoria, Australia

    Philip Mendes

  2. Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Australia

    Pamela Snow

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© 2016 The Author(s)

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Harvey, A., McNamara, P., Andrewartha, L. (2016). Towards a National Policy Framework for Care Leavers in Australian Higher Education. In: Mendes, P., Snow, P. (eds) Young People Transitioning from Out-of-Home Care. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-55639-4_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-55639-4_5

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-55638-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-55639-4

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