Leaving Care has a range of services and supports to assist young people aged 16 to 21 years of age to transition from out-of-home care to independent living and adulthood.
Every year approximately 500 young people, 16 to 18 years of age, have their Care by Secretary Order or Long Term Care Order cease under the Children Youth and Families Act 2005 (section 16) and transition from out-of-home care into adult independence.
Leaving care - planning
From 15 years of age, you will participate in the development of a 15 plus Care and Transition plan. This plan will include supports the you will need to need to help you transition successfully transition from out-of-home care into independence.
For more information, see Transition Planning for leaving care on our Providers website.
Leaving Care Hotline
If you are leaving out-of-home care in Victoria you can call the Leaving Care Hotline to speak to someone for advice or for a referral to a range of support services.
The Leaving Care Hotline can provide you with information about:
- Finding accommodation or staying in existing accommodation
- Staying in education or returning to studying
- Looking for a job, or applying for on the job (vocational) training
- Keeping a current job
- Re-connecting with family
- Financial help to maintain independence, if the young person has already left state care
- Linking with other support services.
Melbourne City Mission's Frontyard Service manages our Leaving Care Hotline. You can use it to connect with your nearest post-care support program or ask about crisis accommodation. For more information, see under 'Contacts'.
Leaving Care - programs
There are a range of programs available to you when leaving care.