Helping the young person transition from care to independence

Child Safety works with young people to help them transition from the care system to live as independent adults. Planning for transition from care begins when a young person turns 15 years old. It provides an opportunity for a young person to identify their goals and needs for their future.

Because of your unique relationship with the young person in your care, you have a critical role in preparing and supporting the young person to transition successfully to adulthood.

There are lots of ways you can help a young person to become more independent. You can help them to:

• decide what they want to do when they finish school
• find casual work
• develop their budgeting or cooking skills
• get their driver licence
• find out more about the reasons why they came into care
• learn more about their health and lifestyle choices
• explore their cultural or spirituality beliefs.

There is no rule or requirement that a young person has to leave your home when they turn 18 years old. Many young people continue to live with their carers if they are still finishing high school, want to enrol in tertiary studies or have a close relationship with their carer family.

As part of transition-from-care planning, you can talk to your Child Safety Officer about the young person staying with you after they turn 18 years old, or the right time for the young person to move out of your home.

If the young person continues to live with you after they turn 18, you may continue to receive the fortnightly caring allowance to support their transition from care needs, as identified in their case plan.