Preparing for independence

When a young person turns 18, their care order legally comes to an end. This doesn’t mean the young person has to leave their carer’s home. Some young people will stay on with the support of their carer. Others will choose to move out, either to return to their birth families or to live independently.

When young people stay on with carers

Leaving care definitely doesn’t mean that the young person must leave the home they have been sharing with you. That will be a decision that you make together, with the support of your caseworker if you need it.

If the young person is staying on with you, think about what it will mean to you both and how your relationship and your arrangements might change. As an adult, your child will probably want to assert their independence, but it’s important that everyone in the household is treated with respect and consideration. For example, will it be alright for your child to bring someone home for the night, or to stay out overnight without letting you know? Will they be expected to make a contribution to the household budget? Having a fresh discussion about the house rules can be a good idea.

When young people move out of their carer’s home

Some young people will move out once they turn 18 or soon after. This could be because they want to try living independently, or because they want to move back in with their birth family. It could also be because the placement has been challenging, and you have both agreed to the idea that the young person will move out of your house.

Both you and the young person in your care could find this a very emotional experience. If there are other children in the household, they could also be feeling a sense of grief and loss. You might have serious concerns about the choice the young person has made, either because you don’t think they’re ready to live independently or because you are not comfortable with the idea of them returning to their birth family. If you are struggling with these sorts of feelings, it’s a good idea to discuss them with your caseworker.

If the young person is moving out, there are a few issues to keep in mind:

• Belongings Anything that your child had when they entered care, and anything that has been bought for them with the Care Allowance or as a gift, is theirs to take with them. To avoid misunderstandings and disappointments, you should have specific discussions around other items, including shared gifts bought for the whole family and even pets.
• Financial arrangements Have a think about any expenses that you currently cover for the young person, for example, you might pay for a phone plan or gym membership. Will they take over those bills, or will you continue to pay them? Make sure that you both understand what will happen with those expenses in the future.
• Post-care relationships Both you and the young person need to understand what your relationship will be like after they move out. Are you both happy to have completely open contact, dropping in on each other at any time? Will you need some structured arrangements? Or do you both feel a need to have some space for a while? If you are struggling with these decisions, ask your caseworker for some support.
• Goodbyes Talk to the young person about how they would like to mark the end of their time in your home. Would they be happy to have a farewell party so that everyone can say their goodbyes, or would they rather leave without a fuss? Whether it is a public or a private moment, this is an opportunity to help everyone feel positive about the young person leaving care.
• Coming back It is not unusual for young people to jump at the opportunity to move out of their carer’s home at the age of 18, and then to want to return within a year or so. Keep in mind that this is a possibility. If it’s something you would like, make sure your child knows that you would welcome their return, whenever they are ready.

What documents should care-leavers take with them?

Apart from personal belongings, it’s important that the young person has all the documents necessary to prove their identity and access required services. If you are having any difficulty, your caseworker can help you locate and access these documents. For example, check they’ve got:

• their original birth certificate
• Medicare card, Health Care Card and medical records
• school reports, transcripts and certificates
• training enrolment details or qualifications
• tax file number
• ATM card
• leaving care letters from your agency
• copy of their Leaving Care Plan
• My Life Story Book

How do care-leavers access their records in the future?

Young people can access agency files about their time in care, either at the time they leave care or in the future. These files may contain original documents, such as their birth certificate, school reports and sporting certificates. If the young person wants to read their file or get their original documents, they need to contact their agency.

For legal reasons, some types of information may be removed from the records before they are released. This can include:

• personal information about other people unless they have given their consent to release the information
• information that could lead to the identification of a person who reported that a child was at risk of harm
• privileged communications between a lawyer and their client where that communication was created for the main purpose of providing legal advice or assistance, or preparing for Court proceedings.