FOSTER kids face homelessness, pregnancy, drug use and unemployment because of a lack of support once they leave state care, a damning report from the Commissioner for Children shows.
Commissioner Aileen Ashford yesterday released her third issues paper, raising serious concerns about the uncertain road many young people face when leaving the Government's care.
In 2011-12, just 20 per cent of the 67 children who left statutory care had official leaving plans, that detailed possible housing, employment and education options.
Ms Ashford called for immediate action to better support these young people.
"We need some independent monitoring to make sure that the state is an exemplary parent, that it enacts its legal responsibility so that every child or young person in care has a leaving care plan and support when they exit," she said.
The issues paper found the lack of support put young people at a high risk of committing crimes, becoming reliant on alcohol and drugs, unemployment benefits, mental health support and subsidised accommodation.
Five of the 26 young women who left the Government's care last year had a baby before leaving that care. Research showed the remaining 80 per cent had a high risk of becoming pregnant within the first year of leaving care.
Ms Ashford said young people who did not have proper post-care plans could end up costing the State Government $40,000 each.
She said the Government had a number of post-care support programs but less than 60 per cent of the funds available had been spent on children leaving care.
At the end of June last year, 966 Tasmanian children were in out-of-home care.
Tasmanian Council of Social Service chief executive Tony Reidy said 34 per cent of Tasmanian households relied on some form of government benefit as their principal source of income.
Children's Minister Michelle O'Byrne said the Government provided up to $2500 post-care for educational expenses, counselling or other services that promote independent living.
It gives $100,000 a year to a program run by the Create Foundation, helping people leaving care to develop independent living skills.
Ms O'Byrne said the Government also funded transitional housing for young people leaving care.
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