09/06/2022

Last year, the Department for Child Protection engaged an external consultant to conduct extensive stakeholder consultation about post-care services, including with young people who have accessed these services as well as our partners.

The consultation process identified a number of key insights covering the following themes:

  • the community should have the same high expectations for young care leavers as those held for any young people transitioning to independent living and adult life
  • young care leavers need access to a service and support system that supports and encourages learning, understands mistakes will occur, and helps them to understand that setbacks and learning are a part of growth
  • young people transitioning from non-family-based care tend to have more complex and acute post-care needs
  • access to safe and suitable accommodation is a critical foundation stone for young people leaving care
  • providing young people with practical support to build life skills and guidance, that helps them draw upon natural helpers and establish trusting relationships and community connections that are not linked to a post-care service provider, is a critical part of an overall post-care service response.

The consultations were a great opportunity to reflect on our achievements to date and deepen our understanding of the needs of care leavers, their experiences in accessing services, as well as to identify opportunities to shape a service response that best meets their needs going forward.

Thank you to everyone who participated in these consultation sessions. The insights gained from our partners are reflected in the Next Steps Pilot program which commenced earlier this year and will inform the development of the new post-care service model.