As Australia’s population ages, an often-overlooked group is beginning to speak louder – and people are finally starting to listen.
In April 2025, Wintringham’s Research, Evaluation and Policy Manager, Tanya Atkinson, contributed to this important conversation at the National Forum for Forgotten Australians and Care Leavers, held in Sydney as part of International Care Experienced History Month.
The forum brought together advocates, researchers, service providers, and policymakers to drive reform for people who grew up in institutional care – a group that has too often been overlooked and underserved.
‘A new era in ageing’
The forum, themed ‘A new era in ageing for forgotten Australians/Care Leavers’, was hosted by the National Aged and Community Care Roundtable and Wattle Place. It focused on addressing the systemic barriers still facing Care Leavers and Forgotten Australians, many of whom experienced childhoods in orphanages, children’s homes, or similar institutions.
“This was the first time I’ve attended the forum. Hearing directly from people about the injustice they experienced – and continue to experience – was profound. It has had lifelong impact, and we have an obligation to do better,” Tanya said.
Trauma-informed care that recognises lived experience
During her presentation, Tanya highlighted Wintringham’s trauma-informed and person-centred model of aged care, specifically designed to support people with complex life histories.
She spoke about Wintringham’s recent verification under the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s Care Leaver specialisation framework, which helps Care Leavers and Forgotten Australians identify aged care providers that understand their unique needs.
“We have many clients across our programs who are Care Leavers. The verification framework means Wintringham can be clearly recognised by people seeking services that are safe, respectful, and trauma-aware,” Tanya said.
Tanya emphasised that many Care Leavers remain cautious about engaging with aged care services, often due to fear of re-traumatisation stemming from past experiences. “Many aged care services have never heard the term ‘Forgotten Australian’ or ‘Care Leaver’. That lack of understanding can lead to re-traumatisation or people avoiding care altogether,” she said.
To improve this, Wintringham has embedded routine questions about lived experience into its intake processes, helping staff recognise and respond sensitively to the needs of Care Leavers.
Tanya also shared details about Wintringham’s partnership with the Alliance for Forgotten Australians to develop targeted training for staff.
“This project is about embedding knowledge in an ongoing way — with real input from people with lived experience,” Tanya said. “We’re incredibly grateful to the Alliance for their leadership and support.”
Looking ahead
The forum ended with a renewed sense of urgency and hope.
“We need systemic change. But we also need to listen more, act with care, and ensure that no one enters old age feeling invisible or unsafe because of where they came from,” Tanya said.