Carlow Place: Developing the evidence base on supported accommodation for young people

This research reviewed the operation of the Carlow Place supported accommodation model for 15 to 18-year-olds from residents’ perspectives. The fieldwork results indicate that Carlow Place is providing a vital service for young people unable to live with their families as they approach adulthood. Key strengths of the Carlow Place model include the supportive, understanding and non-judgemental approach taken by staff, and the provision of opportunities for residents to build their independence. The research highlights that supported accommodation can offer teenagers opportunities and benefits that may not be as readily available in family-based care settings. For this reason, good quality supported accommodation for the mid-teen age group has a continuing role to play in the context of Australia’s out of home care system. This research contributes to what is a limited evidence base in Australia and internationally on young people’s experience of supported accommodation.