2004

Friday 10th September 2004
New Resource for Young People Leaving Care
As part of Foster Care Week (September 13-19) Centacare Newcastle's After Care program is launching a unique tool to assist young people leaving out of home care.

Centacare Newcastle's After Care program focuses on the specific needs of young people between the ages of 15 and 25 who have left or are leaving out of home care and are making the transition to independent living.

'Out of home care' is the term used to describe the situation in which a child or young person is unable to live with their family of origin and is cared for by specially trained foster carers or in residential care.

Centacare Newcastle's After Care program advocates for and assists young people to access health, financial, legal and accommodation information and services.

The Leaving Care Kit contains a broad range of practical resources and important information for young people leaving out of home care.

The Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 states that young people preparing to leave care must have a 'leaving care plan', which outlines the supports they require to live independently.

The Leaving Care Kit has been specifically devised to assist young people and their caseworkers in the Hunter area to prepare the 'Leaving Care Plan'.

According to Ms Lisa Johnson, Centacare Newcastle's After Care caseworker and Leaving Care Kit designer, "As well as a broad range of practical information, we have also included topics that are important to think about and discuss when preparing their 'leaving care plan' and information relating to the young person's legislative rights within After Care.

"Each kit contains a standard set of resources and application forms. But depending on a young person's individual needs, further information can be added to assist them to address their particular issues.

"From my interactions with young people leaving care, I have noticed that there is a lack of preparation and knowledge around the many issues which must be considered at this point in their lives. At case conferences designed to assist young people to make their leaving care plan, they often seem overwhelmed and don't take much in when faced with such large amounts of information. Add to this the realization that they're leaving care and ending relationships with workers that some have known since childhood, and it's easy to see how this can be a very daunting experience for young people.

"I hope that this kit can ease some of this trepidation," Ms Johnson said.

Centacare Newcastle is the official welfare agency of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

Leaving Care Kit Launch - All media are invited to attend.

When? Wednesday 15th September, 10:30 am until 11:30 am
Where? Centacare Newcastle's Children's Services 52 Royal Street New Lambton

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