Aktionstag Careleaver Klagenfurt

Care leavers are young adults who have spent part of their lives in public care (e.g., group homes, children’s homes, or foster families) and are transitioning to independent living. Because they are released from child and youth welfare services („to leave“) at the age of 18 or, at the latest, 21, they are called „care leavers.“

According to statistics, the average age at which young adults leave their parents‘ home in Austria is currently 25.2 years. This means that young adults who cannot grow up in their families and find themselves in difficult life situations are released into independent living four to seven years earlier. Unlike those who grow up in their families of origin, many of these young adults have hardly any stable private networks, such as family or a supportive circle of friends. Nevertheless, they are expected to live independently upon reaching adulthood.

The care leaver support centers in Klagenfurt and Villach provide assistance during this transition to independence.