Educational expectations and outcomes for young people in and who have left Out-of-Home Care are often low. Few care leavers go on to higher education after leaving school, compared with 40% of the general population aged 25-35.

For many care leavers there are significant social and financial barriers in getting to TAFE and university. It can be incredibly difficult, not because they aren’t capable, but because they lack the right support. Missing out on going to TAFE or university further excludes care leavers from opportunities to improve their employment prospects and earning potential and to carve out a fulfilling life.

Raising Expectations is changing this.

Raising Expectations, a cross-sectoral collaboration between the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare and founding university partners, Federation University Australia and La Trobe University, commenced in July 2015, with initial 3-year philanthropic funding from the Sidney Myer Fund. In late 2018, the program welcomed Swinburne University of Technology as a partner.

The Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET), Raising Expectations’ funding partner, has committed to a multi-year investment until 31 December 2022 enabling delivery and expansion of the program in Victoria.