What's the Answer? - Create

Appendix BStage 1: Initial ConsultationsYAG ResponsesA successful transitionWorker• An active caseworker – someone you can talk to who involves you in the process.• A case worker ensuring that everything is well organised in advance.• We need to still have contact with our caseworkers after we’ve transitioned.• Access to support worker who is independent of the system, eg. general youth worker.• DoCS being organised with files, paperwork, timeliness.Leaving care plan• Individualised leaving care plan which gets reviewed.• A successful transition should be well planned out and that if things don’t work out, there needsto be a contingency plan. A successful transition is smooth and easy on the young person.• Having a well thought out plan.• Try and let the young people have more of a say.• The best part I felt was I didn’t have to worry. I was supported to organise housing, work andfinance as my case plans were reviewed and met my needs. Not having to worry allowed me tofocus on achieving the best out of what I was supported with and having a normal life.Accommodation• Help to secure longer term accommodation.• Not leaving the adolescent homeless. Allowing a teen to stay with their foster family paying rentand having a part/full time work, allowing the teen to save money and gain rental references.• Having a secure place to live.• Subsidised housing for a fixed term and renewable if needed.Service supports• The young person knowing about and having access to all appropriate services (having receivedthis information prior to transitioning, not during or after).• Knowledge of other crisis supports available – and developing crisis or contingency plans.• Introduction to agencies and services , relevant to adults including the Electoral Commission,Medicare, housing services, Centrelink, employment services, and other NGOs which aremandated to work with people 18 years and over.• This ‘introduction’ of young people to the services is a long process –it can’t be effective if it’srushed. One or two years’ gradual work is required to effectively establish young people’sfamiliarity and expertise with managing these diverse networks confidently.• Ability to access services if needed.25