Young People Transitioning from Out-of-home Care in Sweden, Norway and Australia: Comparison of the Enablers and Barriers

This article compares the existing legislative, policy and practice supports for young people transitioning from out-of-home care (known as care leavers) aged 18–25 years in three jurisdictions: Sweden, Norway and Australia. Attention is drawn to the impact of the different welfare regimes in these countries (i.e., social democratic vs liberal), the inconsistencies across different states and regions, and the eligibility and adequacy of existing support programmes. We also examine the respective factors that have influenced policy and practice reform to date, such as scholarly research evidence both domestic and global unveiling gaps in existing structures, advocacy by non-governmental organisations and youth with lived experience shaping improvements in programmes, and media coverage highlighting systemic failures and successes. The juxtaposition of these factors across the three nations provides insights into the disparate yet converging paths in supporting care leavers. Concluding with targeted recommendations, this study underscores the importance of cross-national learning, advocating for adaptive policies that are informed by global best practices while being locally relevant. The article calls for a heightened focus on collaborative efforts to optimise support for young care leavers, ensuring a smoother transition into adulthood.