Independent living for care leavers
employment and three are job seeking. One has transitioned into stable shared housing and is employed as an apprentice tiler. There is a significant unmet need in housing and outreach support services for young care leavers between 18 and 25 years of age in South Australia. Australian and international research shows that young people leaving the statutory care system continue to experience similar and consistent challenges into adulthood, namely overrepresentation in homelessness, lower educational attainment, chronic poverty, unemployment and becoming parents at a younger age. Current national data shows that 64 per cent of care leavers will experience primary homelessness within two years of exiting the care system. More than 42 per cent of adults within the homelessness system have a history of placement in out-of-home care. Having a safe and secure home with tailored support enables people to stabilise their lives and develop and implement plans to move on to long-term housing, employment and improved health and wellbeing.
An AnglicareSA accommodation and support pilot program for young people leaving care has been named a finalist in the inaugural South Australian Child Protection Awards in the ’Transition to Independence’ category.
programs and local community initiatives, and building citizenship opportunities such as enrolling to vote. Supporting them to navigate relationships and, where appropriate, safely reconnect with their family, is also a major focus. Since the program commenced in March, 17 young people have started living in the self-contained one- bedroom apartments. Of these, eight are in continuing education, six are in
The 12-month pilot program, based at AnglicareSA’s community housing apartments in Adelaide's inner west , assists young care leavers with reduced rent. It also helps them to maintain education or employment while supporting them to develop their independent living skills. AnglicareSA’s supported independent living service helps the young tenants with household budgeting, gaining a driver’s licence, engaging in wellbeing
When dreams become reality Josh moved into our post-care accommodation after spending many years couch surfing. He managed to retain his job at a local hotel despite his transiency. However, without a stable home, his dreams of becoming a manager, owning his own house, getting his driver’s licence, and most importantly, reconnecting with his daughter, seemed out of reach. Since moving in, Josh is seeing his daughter regularly and has developed a strong relationship, chatting to her daily. He is a confident, generous and kind man who regularly seeks to share his delicious home-cooked meals with staff and other young people living on site. It is great to see Josh turn his new unit into a beautiful home.
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