What's the Answer? - Create

• Lack of support for young people to guidethem to enter the job market.• Cost of clothing and grooming forinterviews is prohibitive for some youngpeople.seeking employment, eg. to be well clothed and groomed atinterview).Financial Security• The TILA process is confusing and difficultto access for young people AND workersAND carers. Young people report thatworkers often give them the wronginformation.• Young people in care report that they havebeen declined TILA, and have no otheroptions available to assist in their transitionto independence.• Funds for TILA ran out before the end ofthe financial year due to an increase inapplications (TILA is not exclusively foryoung people with a care experience).• Lack of budgeting and financialmanagement skills often lead to poorfinancial decisions. Advertising that targetsthe youth market with easy credit andmobile phones exacerbates the situation.• Young people need to have access to dedicated transitionfunds (brokerage) in addition to TILA.• Young people’s feedback indicated that a review of TILAmight consider the following: Is the amount of the allowance sufficient to support youngpeople in transition from care? Is the amount of the budget allocated to TILA sufficient sothat all young people under 25 years who have left careare able to access the full allowance? Is the process of applying for TILA “user friendly” for youngcare leavers?• Life-skills training needs to incorporate practical financialmanagement.“(TILA) It’s confusing and full ofjargon...There’s a lot of misinformationaround...The paperwork is hard”Social Relationships and Support Networks• Young people need supportive adults whocare about them in their life, not just peersor paid workers.• Young people need to be connected toeach other and their community.• Establish mentoring programs for young people transitioningfrom care.• Support connection experiences (eg. clubCREATE which allyoung people with a care experience are eligible to join) tolink young people in care with each other and theircommunity.Health (Physical, Emotional, Mental, and Sexual)• Young people lack confidence in accessinghealth services, and it can be daunting toseek out support when they are unwell.• Young people do not know which doctorswill bulk bill. Having to pay upfront forhealth services is challenging for youngpeople on limited incomes. Public hospitalshave lengthy waiting lists and for youngpeople with jobs, or studying this is not aviable option.• Young people could be accompanied when being introducedto services (including doctors, dentists, mental healthprofessionals, Medicare, health care funds, drug and alcoholsupports).• Develop a brochure that informs young people about bulkbilling surgeries (this information can also be included on theCREATE Your Future website and in Leaving Care Kits).“There are a decreasing number of healthservices that bulk bill- particularly mentalhealth”.18