Implementation Determinants of Transition Planning in Residential Out-Of-Home Care: A Qualitative Study Using the...

Transition planning in residential out-of-home care (OoHC) is a legislated practice designed to prepare young people (YP) to live independently from the State by age 18. It involves multiple components, including the development of a transition plan, skills building, securing housing, and establishing formal and informal support networks. Despite this, many YP experience inequitable outcomes when they leave OoHC, indicating implementation challenges.

This study identified the barriers and enablers (determinants) shaping the implementation of transition planning and the strategies needed to improve it. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with residential care and cross-sector staff (n = 46) across Victoria, Australia. Data were analyzed using abductive coding guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), encompassing determinants across the Outer Setting (structural factors), Inner Setting (organizational factors), Characteristics of Individuals (skills and motivation of staff), Innovation (design of transition planning), and Implementation Process (activities to implement it).

Determinants were identified across all CFIR domains: Characteristics of Individuals (n = 4; e.g. capability), Outer Setting (n = 6; e.g. policies and laws), Innovation (n = 4; e.g. relative advantage), Inner Setting (n = 5; e.g. access to knowledge and information), and Implementation Process (n = 3; e.g. teaming).

Findings highlight the need to enhance the perceived advantage of transition planning, strengthen workforce capability, and address systemic barriers.

Future research should design and evaluate implementation strategies that harness the enablers and address the barriers.