Preparing for independence
All teenagers can benefit from some support and guidance as they mature into adults. That help is possibly even more valuable for young people who have been in care and may have had an unstable family life in the past.
What is a Leaving Care Plan and how does it work?
Your caseworker will begin working with you, the young person and significant other people in their life on a Leaving Care Plan once they turn 15. The plan will include reasonable steps to prepare the young person for their transition to independence.
The Leaving Care Plan generally covers:
- a safe place to live (whether they are staying on with you, returning to their birth family or setting up independent living arrangements)
- access to education and training
- employment and income support
- independent living skills (including financial management, health and lifestyle issues)
- personal history (including cultural background)
- contact details
- agencies and people responsible for carrying out each part of the plan.
Your caseworker will talk to the young person about ongoing support needs and how to access information and services. Carers and young people should receive a copy of the Leaving Care Plan.
Young people in care may choose to enter an apprenticeship, traineeship, university or enlist in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), as their preferred training, study or employment option. Before applying, they’ll need consent from the agency. All decisions will be documented in their Leaving Care Plan.
Careleavers with disabilities
Where a young person with disability in statutory out-of-home care is likely to require ongoing support when they leave care, the agency with case management responsibility (either DCJ or the non-government agency) should notify Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC), and/or, if the young person is eligible to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), ensure this is discussed with an NDIS planner during their planning meeting.
Leaving Care planning with ADHC or the NDIS (whichever is available in your area) should begin at least two years before the young person is due to leave care.
If a young person has a disability that affects their ability to weigh up information to make a decision in their best interests, even with support, it may be useful to appoint a Public Guardian. The Public Guardian is a statutory official appointed to advocate on behalf of the young person to assist with leaving care planning.
For more information about care-leaver support for young people with disabilities, talk to your caseworker.
What happens when the Care Allowance stops
Payment of the Care Allowance usually stops when the care order expires. Sometimes, though a young person is still completing their school or similar studies at the time they turn 18. Post Care Education Financial Support is a non-means tested payment aimed at helping young people aged over 18 complete their education by providing their carers with financial support to maintain the current living and support arrangements until they complete their Higher School Certificate (HSC).
CREATE Foundation has developed a Go Your Own Way (GYOW) kit to help young people in the development of their Leaving Care Plans and to support a successful transition to independence.
The kit includes a workbook with advice, information and checklists to help young people, their carer and caseworker plan for the future.