Mr Speaker.
I would like to inform the Assembly on the progress of the work my department is undertaking to improve the planning and supports for young people who are transitioning from care to independence, an important milestone in their lives.
The ACT Government is continuing to focus on improving services and outcomes for children and young people and has particular responsibility for children and young people who are in a care placement. They may be in care with a kinship or foster carer or in a residential setting.
The Government is committed to providing high quality services to this population and my department works in partnership with our community partners, other government agencies and kinship and foster carers to plan, support and meet the needs of these vulnerable children and young people as they develop and grow.
Each year the Government provides $26.8 million for children and young people who need out of home care. This includes subsidy and contingency payments to foster and kinship carers, agency fees and payments to peak support agencies such as CREATE and the Foster Care Association.
National research tells us that a large proportion of young people transitioning from care experience homelessness within the first year of their living independently.
They are more likely not to be engaged in fulltime work and are less likely to attend further education and have lower incomes than their peers.
Those of us that are parents of young people know how critical family support to young people gaining their independence is. For these young people transitioning from care often parental support may not be available, therefore, we need to fill this gap in support for these young people.
Last year in response to national research indicating poor outcomes for many of these young people, the Government commenced work on improving the way it provides service to young people transitioning from care.
We began by talking to our government and community partners about mechanisms that will ensure that this group of young people get timely access to coordinated services that effectively support them through their transition to adulthood.
In October last year I released a Discussion Paper "Maximising Potential: improving life transitions for young people in care". This put forward a new model of service delivery based on best practice. Focus groups were held, submissions received and the Department talked to young people about their experiences.
Written submissions were also received from peak bodies, service providers, youth organisations, carers, government agencies and statutory oversight bodies. I appreciate the effort and time taken by all these people to contribute to improving the support and services provided to this group of young people.
The consultation process generated some very informed comments and useful discussion on the proposed new framework of service delivery. Much of what we heard reinforces the research findings used to develop the Discussion Paper "Maximising Potential: improving life transitions for young people in care".
Eleven major themes emerged, as did suggestions for building on our current arrangements to services for young people transitioning from care into adult life.
Mr Speaker, young people have told us that a successful transition from care was achieved when they had consistency in the people who helped them, they were listened to, felt safe and had a sense of control over their lives and stability.
Young people believed that a good transition to independent living was characterised by stable accommodation, good support services and receiving an education.
Young people wanted their views to be sought, taken into account and acted upon wherever possible with regard to planning for their future.
Some told us that they wanted to be supported throughout their transition into adult life and that this support should continue until after the person turns 18.
They want greater opportunities to increase their living skills, to know how to budget and manage their finances, how to cook, to raise children, to have assistance to learn how to fix a car or put together furniture and help to apply for training courses or financial assistance. These are skills that most of us learn with help from our families.
The transition to adulthood and independent living presents challenges for all young people. We recognise that this group of young people have particular needs for additional information, support and assistance. We want to ensure that these young people receive the help they need during this time in their lives.
Young people have also told us that they would like improvements to the way they are communicated with. It should be acknowledged that young people have a different communication style and needs. They expressed the need for workers, who have specialist skills in working and communication with adolescents.
Another significant issue raised by young people and in fact across all the submissions is the need to consider a change to the age limit when individualised support for this group of young people ceases. Currently this age is 18 years.
Extending the age limit for supporting these young people from 18 to 25 years is one option for improving the current arrangements. Individuals will vary in the level of support they need. Some young people will require very little support after they turn 18, however a small number of young people may require continuing guidance and support. As young people gain more experience and maturity their need for support should reduce.
The types of support provided for young people transitioning care varies across jurisdictions. In other States and Territories there is a difference in the age limit for providing support to young people transitioning from care. In New South Wales and Western Australia it is 25, while in Victoria it is 21. The Commonwealth Government use up to the age of 25 as an age of entitlement for youth allowance payments.
A number of pieces of research undertaken highlight that support to this group of young people may be needed up to the age of 25.
Mr Speaker, carers, peak bodies and service providers have also provided very useful positive feedback on the proposed model outlined in the Discussion Paper and suggestions on other ways of improving support to this group of young people. Many of the submissions raised similar issues.
A ‘Summary of Responses to the Discussion Paper’ and the consultation process has now been prepared and is currently being circulated to the respondents and is available on the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services website.
The next steps are to finalise a new framework, and the feedback we received will inform the development of the new framework. The full extent of the framework is still being worked out.
The Framework will consider such things as accommodation needs, assistance with education and training, as well as help in accessing health services and equipment them for employment.
Pivotal to the success of a new framework of service will be ensuring young people are listened to, services are integrated, and customised to young people’s needs. I have listened to what young people say and heard their views on what it is that they need at this time in their lives.
A new framework will need to ensure that the model of service delivery provides flexible options to meet the individual needs of young people while they are in care and as they transition from care to independent living.
The framework will deliver a continuum of services for young people which incorporates improved planning for young people well before they leave care so their thoughts and wishes can be considered.
The framework will have an emphasis on improved coordination of services for young people to ensure they have timely access to services that meet their vocational, education and health needs.
Much of this will be achieved through the establishment of protocols, work which is already underway, between relevant government and Non government agencies that agree to priority of access for young people transitioning from care to essential services such as Centrelink allowances, mental health services, dentistry and vocational guidance.
It will also be important to ensure that all agencies are aware of the particular needs of this group.
To progress this work, DHCS is looking at how it can better support young people planning for their transition from care and supporting them. This may include putting together a specialist team focused on supporting young people from the age of 15. There are many professionals within DHCS who would enjoy the opportunity to support these young people in their transition from care.
The new framework will also ensure that the services already available are strengthened.
This Government already provides a number of services to young people and families through the $8.4 million for services from the non government sector in the Youth Services and Family Support Programs.
Other work within DHCS relates to the improvement of housing options for young people and measures to reduce youth homelessness in the ACT. These pieces of work link into the continuum of services needed to support young people moving into independent living and will be part of the framework.
The new framework will be based on delivering the right individual services at the right time for young people. A Governance Group with representation from relevant government agencies has been established to oversee the finalisation of the framework and to facilitate integrated service provision across government.
The Framework is expected to be released for further community comment this shortly. Key stakeholders, including CREATE, Youth Coalition of the ACT, and service providers will also be asked to provide feedback on the draft Framework. Following the finalisation of the Framework the revised model of service will be implemented.
Mr Speaker this Government is committed to enhancing services for young people transitioning from care by developing a realigned and integrated system response to support young people as they transition from care.
The ACT Government continues in its commitment to improving services for all children and young people.
Thank you Mr Speaker
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