Raising Expectations
Creating a pathway to TAFE and university for care-experienced young people.
Last updated: 08 Dec 2024
Vision and purpose
Raising Expectations is a collaboration between the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, TAFE and university partners, and the Victorian Government; it is the only program of its kind in Australia, addressing disparities in further education for care-leavers.
Educational expectations and outcomes for young people in and transitioning from out-of-home care are often low. Few young people transitioning from care go on to higher education after leaving school, compared with approximately 40% of their peers.
For many care-experienced young people, accessing TAFE and university presents significant social and financial barriers; these challenges are not due to a lack of capability but rather a lack of adequate support. Barriers to accessing TAFE or university further exclude young people from opportunities that tertiary qualifications can afford, such as improved employment prospects and earning potential.
Raising Expectations is increasing the participation of young people with a care experience in tertiary education by embedding support on the ground at TAFE and university partners.
Raising Expectations' resources
Raising Expectations offers a collection of free, downloadable resources designed to provide the latest insights on care-experienced young people and post-secondary education. These easily shareable materials are curated to ensure you have timely access to crucial information that supports young people in their educational journey.
Celebrating International Youth Day with Raising Expectations
12 Aug 2024
- Content
Placement payments and HECS relief welcomed in Federal Budget announcements
10 May 2024
- Content
Out-of-Home Care and Education: Insights from Let Us Learn Webinar
10 May 2024
- Content
History
Raising Expectations began in 2015 as a collaboration between the Centre and founding university partners, Federation University Australia and La Trobe University. Since then, we have expanded across Victoria and partnered with Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria University, Monash University, Deakin University, and RMIT University.
The program was initially funded for 3 years by the Sidney Myer Fund. Raising Expectations has been funded and supported by the Victorian Government since 2019, with the Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET) providing funding from 2019 to 2022. Since 2023, Raising Expectations has been funded by the Victorian Department of Jobs, Skills, Industries and Regions (DJSIR).
Impact
In the first year of our program, we identified 43 care-experienced students. In mid-2024, we recorded over 800 care-experienced students studying across three of our partner institutions.
Students with care experience are driven to create positive change within their communities, with many choosing to pursue studies in fields such as community services, social work, education, and healthcare.
There has been a significant increase in the number of care-experienced students completing their TAFE and university courses, transitioning into the workforce with the necessary skills and experience to make an impact in their chosen industry.
