Key elements of a leaving care plan
Leaving care planning should address these key topics or life domains
Accommodation
Leaving care does not mean having to leave home. Living in a stable, supportive and loving environment with a carer can continue past the age of 18.
In some situations you may need to support discussions about living arrangements between the young person and their carer or family or kin, especially where there is good will and interest in doing so but there are some worries or barriers to making this happen. Consider using the Living Arrangement Agreement discussion guide below to assist.
Where a young person can remain with their carer or another significant person in their life such as an aunty or cousin, this is highly encouraged. However, some young people will need support with accommodation where this staying put is not an option. Consider local housing support products and packages available for teenagers and young adults to help them find and maintain affordable accommodation.
Finding accommodation can be difficult, especially if a young person is also finishing school or looking for employment. Leaving a home without support can result in couch surfing, ending up in a shelter or homelessness.
DCJ is dedicated to funding services to support all people in need of housing support or facing homelessness. This includes ‘Housing Pathways’ and other options of private rental assistance, subsidies and temporary accommodation.
Living agreement support
Rent support
- Housing Pathways
- Factsheet Care Leavers obtaining private rental accommodation
- Rent it keep it – Housing Pathways training package to assist people who are seeking private rental accommodation gain the skills to secure and maintain a tenancy
- Tenancy rights and assistance
- Fair Trading