Know your rights
http://www.lawstuff.org.au/wa_law/topics/
What's the Plan? Living in Western Australia
In WA the Children and Community Services Act 2004 and the Leaving Care Policy say the Department for Child Protection must ensure a young person is provided with help and planning in their transition from being a child in care to independence and adulthood. www.dcp.wa.gov.au/Resources/Documents/Policies%20and%20Frameworks/LeavingCarePolicy2011.pdf
So how do I get a plan? Who is responsible for leaving care planning?
Your case worker is 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 for Child Protection office to say you’d like to start planning for leaving care.
Department for Child Protection
You can also get help from the Advocate for Children in Care (whose full details are below).
How long does a plan last?
Planning should start when a young person is between 14 and 17 years old. Your final leaving care plan will last for the duration of your transition to independence (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 District Office, your Transition Support Service, or the Advocate for Children in Care.
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 heard anything within a week of asking for a plan, 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. Another option is to contact the Advocate for Children in Care, who can help you do these things or contact the office on your behalf.
If you’ve chosen to try on your own and your worker still hasn’t contacted you to set a meeting time within a month, you can 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. Again, the Advocate for Children in Care can help you do this, talk to them for you, or help you to make a formal complaint if that’s your choice. You can give feedback and get support to make a complaint by contacting:
The Advocate for Children in Care
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 for Child Protection website and Crisis Care line
Leaving Care Services
These services provide case management, accommodation and support to young people during their transition and after they have left care.
Salvation Army, Crossroads West 08 9328 1655
Wanslea Family Services (My Place, PEEL District and South Rockingham) 08 9581 5843
Mission Australia (Naig8, South West & Great Southern District) 08 97224600
The Department of Education and Training provides various options for financial assistance for Vocational Education and Training (VET) students, based on the student’s capacity to pay. Ask your case worker about this or contact VET.
Ida Curtois Achiever Awards
Nominations are open to young people aged 15 to 25 years who have been in the Department’s care and are continuing with their further education. www.dcp.wa.gov.au/ChildrenInCare/Pages/Ida%20Curtois%20Achiever%20Awards.aspx
The Disability Services Commission
If you are a young person with a disability you may be eligible for lots of different supports. Talk to your case worker or the Disability Services Commission
Kids Helpline
For more information, referral or advice contact us - CREATE Foundation