The association between vulnerability and problematic substance use is well established. So for any worker supporting young people with AOD related issues, understanding vulnerability is crucial. YACVic have recently released a discussion paper about some of the most vulnerable young Victorians.

Young people living in out-of-home care in regional and rural areas are among the most vulnerable young people in Victoria. 

YACVic recently published a discussion paper about this group of young people and they have highlighted some key findings such as:

  • The rate of children in out of home care is more than double that in metropolitan areas
  • Children in out of home care in rural victoria were less likely to be placed with relatives than young people from metropolitan areas.

 

The rate of children in out of home care is more than double that in metropolitan areas

Although Aboriginal children are vastly over represented in the out of home care system in general, differences between rural and metropoltan young people were far less obvious.

The paper also describes some of the challenges supporting this cohort of young people including

  • The shortage of rural services
  • Issues regarding leaving care
  • Issues implicit in living in a rural community

View the discussion paper here