Support for care leavers
It's important to help care leavers understand the network of support they have around them, including the loving adults in their lives as well as a number of services and organisations.
After-care payments
Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides financial assistance to care leavers aged between 15 and 24 as part of a Leaving Care Plan, based on an assessment of need. Assistance may include help with getting accommodation, setting up house, education and training, finding employment, legal advice and accessing health services.
Assistance can also be provided to care leavers 25 years and older at the discretion of FACS.
Time-limited After-Care Payment
A time-limited After-Care Payment is based on an assessment of need and is made directly to the young person. It is paid fortnightly and reviewed every three months. A young person may be eligible if they:
- are living independently
- are undertaking full-time training or education (unless they can only attend part-time because of health problems or parenting responsibilities)
- need help to get safe, stable, affordable accommodation
- will be at risk of homelessness if assistance isn’t provided
- have been unable to get public housing assistance.
One-off after-care payments
Whether they receive the After-Care Payment or not, an eligible care leaver with an assessed need can receive one-off after-care contingency payments as part of an approved Leaving Care Plan. This is intended to help cover the costs of things such as:
- getting accommodation or establishing tenancy
- buying books, materials or tools
- driving lessons
- contacting Centrelink and JobActive for job-seeking assistance, to access Australian Government childcare subsidies and rebates, or pay deposits to secure a childcare placement
- getting legal advice if this can’t be provided by Legal Aid or LawAccess services
- accessing public health services where possible
- dental treatment not covered by public dental hospitals
- cost of counselling or support, such as independent living or social skills training.
After-care assistance for young people with a disability
In districts that are yet to transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) Leaving Care program provides support to young people with a disability who are leaving statutory care. The goal is to help them live as independently as possible in their community. Referral to this program can be made from when they are 15 years old, or at least two years prior to leaving out-of-home care.
The NDIS is an Australia-wide scheme to support people with permanent and significant disability. It will replace the current disability support system.
The NDIS, which is being rolled out across NSW between 2016 and 2018, will give people with disability real choice and control over their lives by allowing them to decide what supports they receive, when and how often. Preparation for leaving out-of-home-care will be included in NDIS planning as the young person approaches turning 18 years old.
During transition to the NDIS, ADHC and other FACS services will work together with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to support the needs of young people with a disability.
For more information about after-care assistance for young people with a disability, contact your caseworker, your ADHC case manager, or your NDIA contact if the NDIS is available in your area.
Australian Government payments for care leavers
There are a range of payments funded by the federal government that can help young people in NSW who are leaving care.
Transition to Independent Living Allowance
Young people aged between 15 and 25 who are in care or have been in care may be eligible for the federal government’s Transition to Independent Living Allowance (TILA) to help pay for some of the things needed to move to independent living. TILA is a one-off payment to buy the following types of goods and services for the young person:
- utilities connection
- moving expenses
- appliances and whitegoods
- furnishings
- food
- financial or other counselling
- education
- transport to get to studies or work
- bus tickets, phone cards, and similar.
The young person can’t apply directly for TILA. Their caseworker will assess their eligibility and make the application to the federal government on their behalf. Speak to your child’s caseworker to find out more about TILA.
Youth Allowance
The Youth Allowance provides financial support for people aged 16 to 24 years who are studying full-time, undertaking a full-time apprenticeship, training or looking for work.
If the young person is studying part-time and is younger than 22, they may be eligible for Youth Allowance as a job seeker. They will need to have a Job Plan and do activities such as part-time work, volunteer work or youth programs to be eligible.
School-leavers and the Youth Allowance
If the young person in your care chooses not to stay in school or begin training or employment, it can affect their income support, including the Youth Allowance, from the government.
Services and resources for care leavers
Resolve
Resolve is a smartphone app that helps young care leavers on their journey to independence. It includes advice about identity, relationships, health, education and employment, finance, housing and accommodation, as well as living skills. When Resolve is first opened, users are prompted to enter information about their identity. The app uses this information to intuitively direct them to the most relevant information. It includes activities and questions to encourage self-reflection, and allows young people to set themselves goals, then reminds them to celebrate when they achieve them. A joint project between DCJ, CREATE Foundation and the Queensland Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability, it can be downloaded from the Apple App Store.
NSW Government Youth Hub
The leaving care information for young people pages gives information about what goes into their leaving care plan and what support is available to help them transition smoothly.
Care Leaver’s Line
DCJ is responsible for supporting care leavers as they transition to independence. People who have left care and those who are about to leave care are encouraged to get in touch if they have questions or are in need of support. You can call the DCJ Care Leaver’s Line on 1800 994 686 or email careleaversline@facs.nsw.gov.au
CREATE Foundation
CREATE Foundation provides services and programs for children and young people in care and those leaving care. CREATE services include:
- mentoring by young people who have left care
- events, workshops, training, youth forums and advisory groups
- clubCREATE (members get a welcome pack, quarterly newsletters, invitations to events and a birthday card each year).
CREATE also run Create Your Future This website empowers care leavers to actively prepare for their independence with information on topics like health, housing, education, employment and other peoples’ experiences of leaving care.
After-care services
There are a number of non-government agencies that provide assistance to people who have been in care. The types of services they provide include:
- help with family searching, mediation and reunion
- help with viewing files and accessing personal documents
- referral and financial assistance for finding accommodation, education or vocational training, counselling, employment, legal advice, health services or professional services.
Referrals can be made by your caseworker or agency. The young person can also contact an after-care service directly. See 'Support for children and young people' in the Contact directory.