Health risks among early school leavers: findings from an Australian study examining the reasons for, and consequences of, early school drop out

This paper presents data from a survey of 283 out‐of‐school youth conducted in New South Wales, Australia, supplemented by interviews with a separate group of out‐of‐school youth. Overall the data indicate that those adolescents who leave school early for “home reasons” generally enjoyed their school experience, but that family problems or dysfunction resulted in them having to leave. Once out of school, and in many cases out of home, they are a highly vulnerable group, more likely to participate in health‐damaging behaviours, and to experience more mental health problems than adolescents who left school early for other reasons. This group of early school leavers have enjoyed their school experience and have some “connectedness” to school that is severed when they leave. Schools have not demonstrated their capacity to identify and support students in such adverse circumstances. These results suggest that schools need to be better equipped to identify and manage adolescents who are having difficulties at home, and who may need to leave home as a consequence of abuse or neglect. The results also point to the need for accessible counselling and advisory services within school, and school protocols for crisis management, especially for students who leave their family home.