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Purpose: This paper aims to report on the findings of a qualitative study that explored the views of 53 service providers assisting Indigenous young people (known in Australia as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth) transitioning from out-of-home care (OOHC) in Australia. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative approach was adopted involving semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 53 representatives of state and territory government departments, non-government organisation service providers and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations (ACCOs) across Australia. The project was designed to gain the perspectives of those working within the system and their views on how it interacts with Indigenous care leavers. Interview questions aimed to ascertain the strengths and weaknesses of the leaving care support systems available to this cohort, as well as the key challenges facing service providers in supporting them. Finally, the study aimed to make recommendations for policy development in this area and identify potential best practice service responses. Findings: The study found that the OOHC service systems continue to fail Indigenous care leavers, their families and communities. Study findings revealed that Indigenous care-leavers face substantial challenges and that the support systems for those leaving OOHC are often culturally insensitive and ineffective. Many Indigenous OOHC leavers lacked the supports they needed to develop safe and ongoing relationships with their traditional Country, family and communities. To promote more positive transitions and outcomes, effective practice responses were identified, including culturally safe programmes and proportional funding for ACCOs to advance greater self-determination. Originality/value: This research is the first national study in Australia to examine the specific transition from care pathways and experiences of Indigenous young people. The findings add to the limited existing knowledge on Indigenous care leavers globally and should inform practice and policy innovations with this cohort in Australia and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Indigenous care leavers appear to have unique experiences and needs compared to other care leavers in Australia. • Specific funding and resources to support Indigenous care leavers is minimal. • There is limited data on their numbers and outcomes. • Transition plans and cultural plans are known to be crucial for supporting Indigenous care leavers in successful transitions from care, but their existing application is either poor or non-existent. • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers, organisations and communities play a key role in positively connecting Indigenous youth with their identity and culture. Indigenous children (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia) are known to be over-represented in many out-of-home care systems, particularly within the English-speaking world. But, to date, there has been little analysis of their specific experiences and pathways as they transition from care at 18 years of age and younger. This study, based on focus groups and interviews with 53 representatives of government departments, non-government organisations and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations across Australia, examined the numbers of Indigenous care leavers, their needs and outcomes, and associated policy and programs. Our project recommended a number of key policy and practice reforms pertaining to data collection, funding, and the provision of culturally appropriate services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]