Know your rights
http://www.lawstuff.org.au/nt_law/topics/
What's the Plan? Living in the Northern Territory
In the NT the Care and Protection of Children Act, 2007 and the NT Families and Children Policy and Procedures Manual, say the Department of Children and Families must ensure a young person is provided with help and planning in their transition from being a child in care to independence and adulthood. You can ask your caseworker to see this policy if you want to: www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nt/num_act/capoca200737o2007315/
So how do I get a plan? Who is responsible for leaving care planning?
Case workers are responsible for developing your leaving care plan with you. If you don’t have an assigned case worker you can still contact your local Department of Children and Families office to say you’d like a case worker to start planning for your transition to independence.
Department of Children and Families
How long does a plan last?
Planning should begin from at least age 15. Your final leaving care plan should cover you until you are suitably settled and accommodated after your 18th birthday, with certain supports available until you reach 25.
What happens if I want to do something different and it is already in my plan?
Your plan should describe the supports in place for you leading up to and after you leave care, and who is responsible. If you have left care, and you need extra support that’s not in your plan, you can go back and ask for help until you reach the age of 25. Contact your local Children and Families office.
What if I have tried to get a plan but it is not happening? (making a complaint)
Sometimes these things take time. However, your plan is VERY important! If you have not had a response within a week, you could try writing your worker a letter, sending an email or ringing them. It’s good to keep records of how you tried to contact your worker and the date.
If your worker has not contacted you to set up a meeting time within a month you should ask to speak with a Team Leader or Manager, telling them the steps you’ve taken, and saying you would like their help to set a date for planning. If after all this you still have not been involved in developing your transition plan then you could give feedback or make a complaint to:
Department of Children and Families – Complaints and Compliments
The Children’s Commissioner
Ombudsman NT
What's TILA?
The Transition to Independent Living Allowance (TILA) is a national, one-off payment of up to $1500 that helps young people 15 to 25 years old who have been in care or have exited. Ask your case worker for more information or contact Southern Youth and Family Service.
Southern Youth and Family Service (SYFS)
What other supports should I know about?
The Department of Children and Families website (including the A-Z Services Index)
Office of Youth Affairs (for more youth services)
Anglicare - Moving On
An After Care Support and Brokerage service for young people 16-25 years needing assistance to maintain independence. The service operates Northern Territory wide with workers based in Darwin and Alice Springs. Moving On staff can assist with information and referrals, accommodation advice, brokerage help and support for education, training and employment, and access to health and legal services.
The Office of Disability – Department of Health
If you are a young person with a disability you may be eligible for support from The Office of Disability.
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For more information, referral or advice contact us - CREATE Foundation DARWIN
ALICE SPRINGS
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