What's the Answer? - Create

Best Practice Example: Young People Leaving Care Transition ProgramSTATE:ORGANISATION(S):TARGET GROUP:FOCUS:TasmaniaDisability, Children, Youth and Family Services and Housing TasmaniaYoung people transitioning from care, up to 18.5 yearsSupported accommodation and preferential access to public housingA Transition Program has been developed between Disability, Children, Youth and Family Services(DCYFS) and Housing Tasmania which seeks to transition young people leaving care to independencewithout experiencing periods of homelessness. The Transition Program offers young people leavingcare an additional level of support and preferential access to public housing as a counterbalance totheir inherent lack of family and community support resources.The preferential access to public housing provided under the Transition Program bestows anobligation on the young person leaving care to participate in the support arrangements deemednecessary for them to achieve independence and sustain a stable tenancy.The Transition Program uses Direct Tenancies as a vehicle to ascribe responsibility for the outcomesof the Transition Program between DCYFS, Housing Tasmania, the young person leaving care andeventually an external support organisation.The Transition Program requires that a young person agree to enter into a Direct Tenancy for twofixed periods of approximately six months each in duration.Direct Tenancy 1 – The first period will be from when a suitable property can be found atapproximately 17 and a half years through their 18 th birthday. Through this period DCYFS will be thesupport organisation under the Direct Tenancy lease (if young people are leaving their careplacements younger than 18 years, then this initial period of the Direct Tenancy would extend totheir 18 th birthday regardless of their age at entry).Direct Tenancy 2 – The second period of six months will start from their 18 th birthday and would besupported by a key support service identified by DCYFS.By the end of the fourth month of Direct Tenancy 2 a review will be undertaken of the tenancy withall three parties. If the tenancy is deemed successful then at the end of Direct Tenancy 2 the youngperson will be given the option to enter into an independent tenancy within the dwelling. If thetenancy is deemed successful but the location is not conducive to a successful long term tenancythen the tenant will be given priority access to transfer to a more suitable location.At this stage, the tenancy will be operated under the normal policies and procedures applicable to alltenants of Housing Tasmania.53