Care leavers are young people who have spent part of their lives in public care (e.g., in socio-educational residential groups or foster families) and are now transitioning into independent living. Unlike most young people who grow up in families, this transition—moving out—usually occurs on their 18th birthday. An extension of residential child and youth welfare services until the age of 21 (support for young adults) is only possible upon request and with specific justification (e.g., if they need to finish their education). In practice, especially for young people already facing significant challenges and with limited social and material resources, the prevailing legal conditions mean they are expected to live independently upon reaching adulthood.
Following her interview with Tirol Heute, Christina Lienhart also answered a few questions from the degree program regarding this topic from a research perspective.
Why were you invited to the interview? What makes you an expert on the situation of care leavers?
I have been involved in research on child and youth welfare for around 20 years, particularly focusing on out-of-home placements and the transition from such placements. This includes both the return of children and young people to their families and the situation of care leavers.
Why is the 18th birthday such a critical point in the care leaver context?
Legally, child and youth welfare responsibilities end once a person reaches adulthood. While there are follow-up support options for young adults—e.g., if they are still in education—changing study programs is no longer possible in that context. This support is limited to one year and can be granted only up to the age of 21. However, young adults must apply for this follow-up support themselves, and whether it is granted lies at the discretion of the child and youth welfare authority. There is no legal entitlement.
We expect 18-year-olds, many of whom have significant life gaps to make up for, to suddenly manage all aspects of life independently in a short period. Existing research shows that this abrupt transition creates enormous stress and challenges for young people. Statistics at least show that more follow-up supports are granted in Tyrol than the national average. However, there is still a lack of systematic research on care leavers and child and youth welfare in Austria, particularly on how young people fare after these transitions.
What are some of the specific challenges?
From the age of 18, young adults are expected to manage all aspects of life on their own in a short period. In addition to financial concerns, they must independently handle existential matters: whether renting an apartment is even feasible given the extremely high rental costs in Innsbruck and Tyrol, who pays the deposit, how to get insurance, or where to turn for help—these should not be burdens they face alone.
International studies show that the progress achieved during care can be undermined without sustained support. There's an increased risk of these young people falling into precarious living conditions after care ends—becoming homeless, developing addictions, or facing unemployment. This legally sanctioned “break” contributes to disadvantage and the risk of social exclusion.
What role does the family of these young adults play?
With the onset of adulthood, the family often becomes more significant again—so it’s important to work on these relationships during the care period so they can serve as a support resource afterward. Of course, there are also young people who no longer have contact with their families, where the family is not a resource or where they consciously choose to distance themselves.
Some parents have expressed that they would have welcomed the opportunity for their child to remain in care for one or two more years to solidify the child’s positive development. For some young people, the expectation to live alone at 18 can be so overwhelming that they decide to return home. Others view returning home as a personal failure—as if they didn’t manage to become independent. This often leads to feelings of shame.
What solutions or changes are needed?
The variation and fragmented approaches to care leavers across Austria reflect the fact that child and youth welfare is a matter for the federal states. Experts continue to call for a legal entitlement and an extension of the age of eligibility for youth welfare services. One major obstacle is that no single state can enact such changes alone; it requires unanimous agreement from all states and the federal government.
In Tyrol, there is a budget available to institutions for aftercare services for care leavers in the form of professional support hours, with a focus on maintaining relationship continuity. However, the young adults must independently apply for this aftercare support.
Why is this topic relevant to our social work degree program?
The topic of care leavers is highly relevant to social work with children, youth, and families. Accordingly, it is addressed and discussed in our courses with students.
Christina Lienhart is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social Work at MCI | The Entrepreneurial School®.
Professional background:
2021 – present Senior Lecturer – MCI/Department of Social Work
2002 – 2021 Research Associate – Social science practice research, organizational and environmental analyses, scientific (co-)leadership of development projects, research consultancy, conference planning and organization, committee work – Department of Research & Development (formerly Social Pedagogical Institute/SPI) / SOS Children’s Villages
1999 – 2002 Social Worker – University Clinic for Psychiatry Innsbruck / Department IV Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
1995 – 1999 Social Worker – Children and Youth Center St. Paulus / Innsbruck
Education:
2017 – 2023 Doctoral Studies in Educational Science – University of Siegen
1998 – 2002 Pedagogy / Interdisciplinary Subjects – University of Innsbruck / Institute for Educational Science (Mag.a)
1995 – 1998 Psychotherapeutic Propaedeutic Course – University of Innsbruck / Institute for Interpersonal Communication
1992 – 1995 Social Work – Academy for Social Work Innsbruck (DSA)
Christina Lienhart is Senior Lecturer for the study programs Social Work (Bachelor) and Social Work, Social Policy & Management (Master) at MCI. As a social worker and educational scientist, she is an expert in child and youth welfare research. © MCI
Social Work | Bachelor
Social Work, Social Policy & Management | Master
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