Anyone who has, or is experiencing the transition from adolescence to adulthood will acknowledge that, even under ideal circumstances, it can be a challenging period in a person’s life marked by major transitions in various areas including finishing school, leaving home, commencing employment, getting married, and having children.
CREATE’s research shows that a large proportion of young people transitioning from care to adulthood face significant challenges during this time including rushed transitions, upheaval, and a sudden reduction in support. Carers, caseworkers, family members, and members of the general community play an important role in a young person’s transition from care to adulthood.
Over the years CREATE has developed a range of resources to assist young people transitioning from care; these resources can also aid the supportive adults in their life in providing support.
Our Go Your Own Way (GYOW) Kit is a resource for young people aged 15 and above who are starting to plan for their transition to adulthood and independence.
The kit is filled with resources and information to assist the planning process and provide caseworkers, young people, and carers with the information they need to plan for a successful transition. This includes the GYOW workbook which is full of information and useful links. For more information about the GYOW Kit please email create@create.org.au
Want to hear what young people think about the GYOW Kits? Watch our GYOW Kit video showcasing some amazing young people who have transitioned from care talking about their experiences leaving care, and the benefits of CREATE’s GYOW kit.
The CREATE Your Future (CYF) program provides young people aged 15 to 25 with the relevant skills and knowledge to effectively transition from care into independence. The life skills and self and community-awareness required to successfully manage the challenges of everyday life are broad, and translating knowledge and values into abilities that enable young people to excel is the foundation of this program.
The program is supported by a detailed website that contains the information from the GYOW workbook but also stacks more state-related information.
We have a huge range of resources for young people transitioning from care. Take a look at our animations, webinars and short films as a starting point to help you on your transition to independence.
Sortli is your guide to becoming an adult, designed by young people, for young people.
Now it’s even easier to find all the information you need to help support your transition from care to independence.
Sortli includes step-by-step guides for navigating some of life’s biggest challenges, such as finding a place to live, looking after your health, managing your money, finding a job, doing some training, and understanding your legal rights.
You can set goals and track your progress with the Goal List, make a budget you can stick to with the Budget Planner, and find contact details for important services with the new Want to talk to someone? button.
Sortli is available in Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Each version features regularly updated state-specific information to help you find what you need. Head to the App Store or Google Play to download Sortli for free today!
Don’t forget to also take a listen to CREATE’s Voices in Action podcast, this podcast gives a platform to children and young people with a care experience to discuss a wide range of issues, including transitioning from care to independence.
CREATE and the WA Department for Child Protection and Family Support (DCPFS) started work on this resource after a lot of young people reported having difficulties accessing files and records and inconsistent information provided to them, for example, costs associated with accessing files, what information they could access and how to get this information. Together, CREATE Young Consultants and the policy team at DCPFS created a flow chart for young people to help them understand how they could access their information. They also created a set of Frequently Asked Questions to go with the flow chart.
Young people have the right to access information about them in files or reports held by the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women. The process of getting this information is called ‘Right to Information’ or ‘RTI’. Visit this webpage for more information.
However be aware that:
Leaving Care Report
This report is put together for young people before they officially leave care. It’s called a report but reads like a story of a young person’s time in care. It’s a summary of key information including birth details, family members and who the young person has lived with throughout their time in care. It also includes a history of medical care and all the important documents young people will need such as their birth certificate, tax file number and more.
It’s important to remember, young people must request their Leaving Care Report from their casework before they turn 18 or their child protection order ends.
Every state and territory has some form of post-care support in place. Check out this list on our CREATE Your Future website to see the help available in your state and territory, this also includes information about financial support for young people across Australia transitioning from care called TILA.
Check out the CREATE Your Future website for more information.
This website was built in consultation with children and young people with a care experience. Thank you to all the young people involved in providing feedback and sharing your insights throughout this process.
CREATE acknowledges the traditional owners of the lands on which we all live and work. We pay our respects to the elders past, present and emerging.
National Office – Sydney
Suite 601, Level 6, 80 George St
PARRAMATTA NSW 2150
Phone: (02) 9267 1999
Email: create@create.org.au
ABN 69 088 075 058
National Office – Brisbane
Level 1, 3 Gregory Terrace
PO Box 105
SPRING HILL QLD 4004
Phone: (07) 3062 4860
Email: create@create.org.au
