The Australian Research Network on Young people transitioning from out-of-home care (ARNT) held its first online network meeting in 2022. The network was established by three academics: Philip Mendes from Monash University, Tim Moore from the Australian Catholic University, and Melissa O’Donnell from the University of South Australia. The objective is to bring together researchers from all eight Australian jurisdictions.

ARNT is informally organized, and membership is open to all researchers who are undertaking research on transitions from OOHC.

The network has online meetings about every 10 weeks. Approximately 15-20 researchers have attended most meetings. In these meetings, we exchange information about our current research outputs, consultations, and plans. There is a strong emphasis on advancing collaboration and sharing of ideas between members, and particularly enabling the contribution of those with lived experience of OOHC.

An ongoing activity is mapping leaving care research, legislative and policy initiatives in each jurisdiction. In September 2023, a group of network members presented a paper at the EUSARF Conference held in Brighton, England.

During 2024, we will complete a guest editing of a special issue of the high impact Australian Journal of Social Issues on ‘Young people transitioning from out-of-home care in Australia’.

Further information about our network can be attained by contacting Professor Philip Mendes on philip.mendes@monash.edu