Know your rights
http://www.lawstuff.org.au/sa_law/topics/
What's the Plan? Living in South Australia
In South Australia the Childrens Protection Act 1993 and the Care Planning Policy say the Department for Education and Child Development (Families SA) 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.
So how do I get a plan? Who is responsible for leaving care planning?
Case workers are responsible for developing your transition from care plan with you.
If you don’t have an assigned case worker you can still contact the Supervisor of your local Families SA office to say you’d like to start planning for your transition to independence.
Families SA
How long does a plan last?
Planning should begin from around age 15. Your final leaving care plan will last for the duration of your transition to independence (until you reach 25).
In South Australia there are services that are especially designed to support you with transitioning from care that are called Youth Support Services. Your case worker can refer you to this service after your 15th birthday.
There is also a special Post Care Services team in Families SA that can help you up until you are 25 years old with any support you might need in your shift from care to independence.
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 Families SA office or Post Care Services on 1800 188 118.
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 Supervisor 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:
Families SA Customer Relations
The Guardian for Children and Young People
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 about how to apply or contact Southern Youth and Family Service.
Southern Youth and Family Service (SYFS)
What other supports should I know about?
The Families SA website (Look under 'Families and young people' then 'children in care').
Youth Support Services
These services especially support you with transitioning from care.
Northern Youth Support Team
Post Care Services
Disability Support Services
If you are a young person with a disability, you should ask your caseworker whether you are eligible for any special supports from Disability SA and other services.
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For more information, referral or advice contact us - CREATE Foundation
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