Professor Emily Munro, who is also the University’s Director of the Institute of Applied Social Research, and Goldberg Professor of Social Work Research and Director of the Tilda Goldberg Centre for Social Work and Social Care, is an international expert on looked after children and transitions from care to adulthood.

Home Stretch is a campaign for Australian States and Territories to extend entitlement to remain in foster care to 21, stating that it will be an investment for the children of Australia and the country.

Professor Emily Munro summing up: "Really important to acknowledge that young people have a right to support. We are not doing them a favour. Continuing care should be
Rights based rather than age related transitions." #makeit21

— The Home Stretch (@The_HomeStretch) August 28, 2019

Professor Munro backs the calls from Home Stretch to the Australian Government to extend foster care until the age of 21, following suit of the UK, a number of US States and New Zealand.

Paul McDonald, Chair of the Home Stretch, said: “Australia needs to catch up. Most young people are now continuing to live with their parents well into their mid-20s. Foster kids don’t have that support. Governments are failing them before the ‘parental’ job is done. It is not only cruel, it costs the nation financially.”

Professor Emily Munro from the UK Keynote address on the Staying Put experience. #makeit21 pic.twitter.com/DVKRuylt96

— The Home Stretch (@The_HomeStretch) August 27, 2019

Professor Munro said: “There is value in acknowledging that young people leaving care have a right to support rather than framing the discourse around ‘additional needs’ and ‘deficits’.”

“It is important to acknowledge that young people have a right to support. We should see young people as individuals and take their wishes and feelings into account and offer supportive relationships and emotional support, not just practical provision.”