This exploratory study sought to identify and describe measures (e.g. legislation, policies, or strategies), in Australian or international contexts, that complement leaving, post-care and extended care policies, with a view to improving the life outcomes of care leavers. This includes special provisions for care leavers that either: 

• provide avenues for ‘positive discrimination’ towards care leavers, to access equitable opportunities and outcomes as those experienced by other community members; or 
• promote the elimination of negative discrimination against care leavers.

A range of policies, initiatives and schemes were identified around Australia and internationally (primarily in the UK and US). While some of these comprised ‘whole-of-government’ strategies, the vast majority were fragmentary initiatives related to higher education and training, employment, healthcare, housing, and income support. Overall, education, employment and housing measures appear to have been prioritised across jurisdictions, with less attention given to health, mental health and other provisions. Most initiatives were developed in response to existing leaving care and post-care legislation, rather than being underpinned by independent legislation, and many were driven by advocacy from specific individuals (e.g. Terry Galloway in the UK), consortia, or even private companies, rather than forming part of a consolidated government-led strategy to advance the circumstances of care leavers. The result is a somewhat haphazard offering and delivery of schemes, which differ widely across countries, jurisdictions, and even councils of the same country.

Despite these shortcomings, a range of very useful strategies for preventing discrimination and advancing the wellbeing and outcomes of care leavers across a range of life domains were identified. Such strategies can usefully form the basis of future coordinated initiatives to advance the overall health, social and economic position of care leavers.