Post Care Support, Information and Referral A safety net for young people post care Presenters: Pauline Dear & Rebecca Prowse

Presentation Outline Case Study History of the Program Challenges of Post Care Recommendations for the future

Ava’s Story

Ava’s Story- In Out of Home Care First removed from her family at age 3 Placed in out of home care after several failed family reunification attempts Placed on a Custody to the Secretary Order

Ava’s Story- In Out of Home Care Abandoned by mother Best friend died Numerous adult workers Minimal connection to community and family Lived in 5 residential units in two years

Ava’s Story- In Out of Home Care Engaged in prostitution and substance abuse Attended 7 different schools, low literacy comprehension Placed in Adolescent High Support Placement Program (High Risk Schedule/Register)

Ava’s Story- Transiting out of Care At 17 living in a residential unit, discovered she was pregnant ceased substance abuse, prostitution and developed fierce protection mechanisms for her unborn child Felt unsafe in the residential unit, care team concur No alternative option so moves in with a friend’s extended family on temporary basis

Ava’s Story- Transiting out of Care Days before leaving care, gives birth Accommodation breaks down Leaving care plan not enacted Notification made with concerns for Mason No longer eligible for support through Child Protection

Who supports young people Post Care? Historically: Provided with an ad-hoc response at the good will of out of home care providers OR There has been no service OR Received support through homeless services or Juvenile Justice system

What is the State’s responsibility? Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 allows for the provision of a suite of support until 21.

The Response Leaving Care Suite of Services: A specific response for young people post care; Leaving Care Brokerage Mentoring Post Care Support, Information and Referral Post Care Brokerage Free call number

How does a young person know who to contact after leaving care? 1300 Leaving Care Free call number 1300 Leaving Care Connection to Melbourne Youth Support Service (MYSS) MYSS can provide an immediate crisis response before redirecting to the nearest Post Care provider

Berry Street’s Post Care Support Information and Referral program A specific response to young people post care in the North West Metro region For those years who were on either a Custody to the Secretary or Guardianship Order on or after their 16 th birthday Outreach model Long term support (12mnths) Medium term support (4mnths) Brokerage Information and referral 2.5 staff EFT

Brokerage Material aid Household set up and removal costs Baby needs Costs of driving lessons/ licence/ car Education and employment needs (laptops, internet costs, courses, supplies, uniforms) Health and wellbeing(sporting memberships, optical needs, dental needs, chiro and physio needs) Travel tickets/ Identifications Clothing

Ava’s Story- Post Care Ava contacted MYSS Ava was provided with an immediate housing crisis response Ava was referred to Berry Street’s Post Care Support Information and Referral program

Ava’s Story- Post Care Provided with housing support to; Access and maintain crisis accommodation until could secure medium term accommodation Navigate the homeless services system and 4 of the Opening Doors services Acquire transitional accommodation Provided with tenancy support Long term housing plan in place, Office of Housing Segment 1 and 3 completed

Ava’s Story- Post Care Provided with material aid Transported to attend appointments and complete shopping Accessed brokerage for essential baby items

Ava’s Story- Post Care Linked to a young mums, child care Accessed emergency respite Referred to a responsive child and health family GP and then referred onto specialist health serviced Referred to the a outreach health nurse Referred to a financial counsellor Child Protection withdrew and made a referral for parenting support through a family service

Ava’s Story- Post Care Ava has accessed over $ in brokerage funding for; Crisis accommodation Material aid Clothing for Client and child Furniture Linen Household items Baby furniture, equipment and linen Mobile phone Removalist Taxi voucher Learners book

Ava’s Story- Post Care Long term case plan -Beginning to explore the process of exploring returning to education -Promotion of healthy eating, lifestyle and wellbeing -Exploration of connection to a mentor and counsellor

Review of Ava’s Story Post Care intensive case support reduced; - Experience of homelessness - Involvement of Child Protection Strengthened her connection to community and supports Provided a holistic ‘safety net’ similar to the one a family usually provides

The Challenges for Post Care Program model has been responsive but is not reflective of the funding specifications Small Staff capacity- 2.5 EFT Brokerage is support intensive due to the limited living skills of young people leaving care

The Challenges for Post Care Lack of affordable, safe and secure housing

Recommendations and Conclusion Increase staffing levels to post care Increase support and brokerage age to 25 years Promote independence by developing living skills before leaving care Obtain sustainable housing before leaving care Increased community connections before leaving care

Question Time

Thank You Contact Details: Post Care Support Information and Referral Berry Street 677 The Boulevard, Eaglemont 3084 (03)