Report 2: 2018-19

Young People Leaving Care

Recommendations

The Department should:

1.    Prepare young people more effectively for leaving care by establishing systems and reporting across all district offices that:

a.    alerts case workers when to start leaving care planning (i.e. when a young person turns 15 or earlier if appropriate)

b.    ensures care leavers are informed of their entitlements post care

c.    provides streamlined and timely referrals to leaving care providers

d.    reports on key milestones achieved when the young person exits care at 18

e.    provides information on how effectively identified needs have been met when young people leave care.

Department of Communities response: Agreed

Implementation timeframe: Commence within 12 months

2.    Improve collaboration and communication between agencies and staff that will

a.    encourage more effective partnerships between agencies and explore ways of working together to fast track access to critical services

b.    consider reviewing priority housing waitlist processes to allow all young people who have been in care to be eligible for public housing if they need it

c.    improve communication between district offices and leaving care providers to address forward planning, service access and roles and responsibilities of each party

d.    clarify, communicate and encourage better understanding of guidelines on the use and approval of leaving care funds.

Department of Communities response: Agreed

Implementation timeframe: Commence within 12 months

3.    Develop a more flexible and proactive response to the needs of the care leaver that will

a.    ensure that the care planning process adequately assesses key risks to provide priority access to support and services, particularly for those with complex needs

b.    include measures in reports from service providers that provide information on outcomes for young people leaving care specifically in the key areas of housing, education and training and employment

c.    cost and explore more flexible approaches to providing support

i.     consider additional programs for those who are high risk or with complex needs

ii.    consider extending Departmental support and case management for those that need it after 18.

Department of Communities response: Agreed

Implementation timeframe: Commence within 12 months

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