Future Planning: A New Approach to Leaving Care Introductions Hugo Madrid and Angie Adams

Snapshot: Out of Home Care Our OOHC practice framework is trauma informed, strengths based and solution focused to assist children and young people shape the best future for themselves, their families and their communities Newpin Social Benefit Bond restoration from care 447 authorised carers 146 staff members bold advocacy in leaving care capacity building with 2 Aboriginal OOHC agencies $20million expenditure 2013/14 305 children / young people in foster care, kinship care, intensive foster care and residential care 280 children & young people in sibling group homes, aftercare and intensive family based services Who we are programs located in Sydney, Mid North Coast and Orana Far West

Hoping You’ll Gain….. Why we are here today What we did How we did it 2/3 didn’t complete Year 12 Why we are here today What we did How we did it Where next? What about the Research? 28% parents Toni Beauchamp, principal policy officer, SJU Fantastic paper Oz & International policy and program approaches, improving outcomes Will just share a few statistics 1/3 homeless

Young People who left care Why we are here today… Ombudsman’s Report August 2013 Community Services new template Young People who left care 2009 % 2011 With endorsed plan 6 8 19 22 With plan not endorsed 36 49 31 Plan completed after exit 12 16 20 23 No plan provided 17 Plan development dates unclear 2 3 Total 73 100% 86 Comparison 2009 - 2011 plans not completed, not endorsed or completed after leaving care Early 2011 improve practice/outcomes review - varied level of detail table shows little improvement

Human Rights Issue? “As a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Australia has a responsibility to protect children and young people, provide the services necessary for them to develop and achieve positive outcomes and enable them to participate in the wider community." http://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/out_of_home_care_rpt.pdf Transitioning from out-of-home care to Independence: A Nationally Consistent Approach to Planning

Ombudsman’s Key Messages Delays in assessing victim’s compensation Lack of consultation with other key agencies Lack of cultural planning and support Failure to provide ongoing support for young people completing their HSC A failure to address the specific circumstances and needs of high risk young people YP’s doing application alone Juvenile Justice High proportion Limited YP complete school Parenting/ D & A, homelessness

What we did… Our Current Practice Formed a Working Group Consulted Staff inconsistency Residential, Aftercare workers Young people at the centre of planning, To be meaningful To participate To be heard informed by YP L/C experiences Developed a template.

Young People Feedback Their voice is missing Not heard Made for them not with them A document Tick box Not interested/motivated

Objective New Template Trauma Informed Practice Framework Training Package Recognised Individual needs one size doesn’t fit all history and backgrounds impact Age and Stage Meaningful – not tick box our learnings, our language Hugo will cover this later

How We Did It… Consultation with OOHC services and NGO’s Working Group focus Terminology Competition ACWA Leaving/Aftercare Interagency Working group ACE Aftercare CREATE 3 versions ACT CS Burnside Future Planning’ Design artwork

Future Planning Template Developed a template voice heard loud & clear Trauma informed terminology

Future Planning Template Developed a template Discussion Goals Action plan Accountability notice language – not tick box only

Where to from here? Joint work with FaCS Staff and Carer training and implementation Feedback from NGO’s and CREATE Planning for review and monitoring Young Person Reference Group Joint training Connecting carers Back packs Carelink Advice & feedback Over to Hugo, surprises in store, an excellent mistake or 2 & maybe even a gnome……..

Approach to future planning Young People’s feedback: Happy with term ‘young people’ vs. ‘kids’. Familiarity/strong relationship. Casework goals vs. young person’s goals. Frequency of discussions

Approach to future planning How will information be used (Why?) Confidentiality. Court documents. Embracing Different Cultures. Comments box.

Staff training Facilitated by Manager & Practice Manager. Acknowledge experience & wisdom in the room. Study template together. Sections: What do we want Young Person to learn?

Staff training What do we want this to look/sound like?- Therapeutic framework/Relationships. Break into groups and create an approach. Return to big group. Consult with young people reference group.

Independent Living Skills FaCS Independent Living Skills checklist. Creativity vs. Ticking boxes. Every Living Skill has an activity.

Understanding money- budget and refurbishing challenge THE CAR I WILL OWN IN NOVEMBER 2017 Price: $6000   Weekly savings to own the car: $48.40 Type of job I would need to work: Fast food stores, retail, café. Number of shift per week: One 5 hour shift Progress tracker: Bundle.com My supports: Mum, Matt (keyworker), Burnside staff.

Gnome Challenge

Excellent Mistake…..

Hoping You Have Gained…… Why we are here today What we did How we did it Where we go next Questions? Sum up……

Contact details: Hugo Madrid hmadrid@unitingcarenswact.org.au Angie Adams aadams@unitingcarenswact.org.au