Key elements of a leaving care plan

Young people face a broad range of issues as they move to adulthood. Even with good parenting and role modelling, adolescence is generally a time for trying risky behaviours. It’s very normal for them to want more independence, experience changes to their bodies and feelings, have relationships and think about and/or have sexual intercourse, explore their sexuality or gender identity, experiment with alcohol and other drugs, consider higher education and find a job.

The following links can provide information and guidance on these topics.

Health Pathway

• OOHC Health Pathway
• Caseworkers guide
• Local health districts

GPs and health care cards

• Find a General Practitioner (GP) in NSW
• Medicare Card
• Health Care Card and low income health care card
• How to access medical records or information

Youth health

• Youth Health Services
• Teen Health – provides information on a range of topics from A-Z
• Teens health and well-being
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services
• Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council
• Healthy Kids – eat well, get active
• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

Counselling and mental health services

• Relationships Australia
• Headspace
• Youth Solutions
• Crossroads Youth and Family Counselling
• Black Dog Institute
• Weave Youth and Community Services
• Uniting Child and Youth Counselling
• KYDS Sydney
• Youth Beyond Blue
• Kids Helpline - Free confidential counselling for young people up to 25 years, over the phone, through email or on web chat
• Lifeline Australia
• Emerging Minds - a learning and resource hub for people working directly with children and young people. Focuses on early intervention and mental health.

Emotional and social well-being

• Worrytime App
• Anxiety
• Eating disorders
• What is self harm
• Resilience in teenagers: how to build it
• Resilience for teens – Teen Health ages 12-17
• Peer pressure
• Peer pressure and fitting in
• Frenemies and toxic relationships
• Assertiveness for teens
• Signs of an abusive relationship
• Bullying
• Cyberbullying
• Exam stress and coping strategies for exams
• Self talk and self awareness – the way you talk and feel about yourself

Sexual health, sexual identity and family planning

• Reach out
• Sexual Health InfoLink - answers to questions about sexual health including HIV and sexually transmitted infections
• Teenage relationships: romance and intimacy
• Understanding sex: risks, health and contraception
• Lawstuff – age of consent in NSW
• Sexual Health Plus
• ACON – Health Promotion organisation specialising in HIV prevention, HIV support and LGBTQI health
• LGBTQI community services and organisations
• Sexuality
• Gender
• Gender identity and mental health
• Minus 18 - Youth-led organisation for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth offering online resources and support services, social events for under-18s, and mentoring
• Twenty 10 - A community-based support service for young people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex
• A parents’ guide to their child’s sexuality
• Common questions about sexuality and gender
• Family planning

Smoking, alcohol and other drugs

• Australian Drug Information Network (ADIN)
• Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)
• Binge-drinking: teenagers
• Drugs – Reachout
• I can quit smoking
• Quit now smoking
• Risky behaviours in teenagers: how to handle it