She has a wealth of experience being on the receiving end of social workers’ support, and now, 18-year-old Iesha hopes to draw on that knowledge to help others.
After receiving accolades from her school for subject excellence, the Year 12 graduate is pinning her hopes on studying social work at either Flinders University or the University of South Australia next year.
Iesha, who lives in the state’s Mid North with her foster carer, went into care at 13 years old.
“I’ve had some pretty good support to help me over my time in care – some pretty good social workers,” she says.
“I just want to be able to be that for someone else. It’s definitely good to have lived experience.
“I’m not quite sure which way I want to go, but I was thinking (of working) either in child protection, or working in a school.”
Iesha says Year 12 was a challenge to complete, but she found listening to music through headphones a great way to remain focused and avoid procrastination.
She has received awards from her school for subject excellence in English and Child Studies, and hopes her overall results land her a university place when the first round offers are made to Year 12 students on January 11.
In the meantime, she’s enjoying some extra free time while also working at a local café.
The Department for Child Protection’s Stability Post Care team is working to help Iesha secure accommodation in Adelaide, in preparation for her to start university early next year.
She says she’s “very excited” to move to the state’s capital, which is home to some of her existing friends, and she’s also looking forward to making new connections.
Iesha is among more than 170 young people in care, or who have recently left care, who studied Year 12 this year.
They were invited to a ceremony at Government House, where attendees received certificates to recognise their achievements.
The Department for Child Protection offers programs supporting young people who remain in family-based placements after they turn 18.
Stability in Family-Based Care provides basic carer payments until the young person turns 21, and the Over 18 Education Initiative provides basic carer payments and an education allowance until the young person turns 25.