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When the order placing a child or young person in the care of the Minister expires when they reach 18 years of age, we refer to the young person as ‘leaving care’.
That does not mean that they must leave their carer’s home. Just as most young people continue to live with their parents after turning 18, a young person who is leaving care staying on with their carer, at least in the short term, is often the best option.
Caseworkers can help guide discussion about what the arrangement will be between the young person and their carer, and the support available from the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ).
Discussions about living arrangements after a young person turns18 should not be left until the last minute. They should be a part of regular case planning meetings and case work from when the young person turns 15.
Use The Care Leavers’ Charter of Rights to help you approach these conversations with a focus on supporting care leavers to become confident, resilient and empowered adults who feel in charge of their own lives.
Talk to the young person and their carer about the benefits of care leavers continuing to live with their carer beyond their 18th birthday, including that it:
If eligible, explain the Independent Living Allowance (ILA) and the Staying On Allowance (SOA). Ensure that the young person and their carer understand that:
There may already be a common understanding in the household that the young person will stay on. Even so, it is good practice to confirm that this is what everyone involved really wants. Hold separate conversations with the young person and their carer to understand both their wishes and to identify any reservations they may have, including the carer’s willingness for the young person to remain in the carer’s home.
In particular, talk privately with the young person about their views. Away from their carer, a young person may be more open about their concerns, including whether they feel they are being pressured to stay on or to agree to their carer receiving the SOA.
Helping young people feel empowered is a critical part of leaving care planning; help them understand that they have a choice and can make decisions they believe are in their best interests.
If both parties are willing to explore the idea of the young person staying on beyond their 18th birthday, discuss what the arrangements will be. Some common topics are listed below. Some of these will have already been discussed with the young person and their carer; the suggestions below are just guides to support this process.
Which allowance is chosen may be one of the most difficult parts of the discussion. The rights and views of both parties must be respected, and there are valid reasons for both choices.
If this is the first time that the young person has had an independent source of income, they may want the freedom to spend it how they choose and not feel that they have to go to their carer for money when they want to buy something. Alternatively, the young person might feel that they aren’t ready to handle this financial responsibility, and may require some support to develop financial management skills.
The carer may feel it is unfair that they will no longer receive the Care Allowance while the young person continues living in their home. They might also welcome the young person taking charge of their finances, and see it as an important step towards adulthood and independence.
Ensure that both parties understand that the decision rests with the young person and that, if SOA is paid, the carer is expected to continue to support the young person.
Explain that the decision can be changed after the allowance begins. For example, the young person might decide on the SOA for three months while they gain experience, develop a budget etc., and then switch to the ILA when they are established and feel ready.
After explaining the allowances, start or guide this conversation by:
While the decision is up to the young person, aim for consensus. The arrangement is unlikely to be successful or long lasting if one of the parties feels that they have not been heard, or that the arrangement is not fair.
The financial arrangement between the young person and their carer will depend largely on whether the ILA or the SOA is to be paid.
If the carer is receiving the SOA, it may be considered unfair to charge the young person board. The allowances are set up to help with the cost of accommodation and other necessities. Help the young person and their carer navigate the financial requirements of the young person staying on, and what the SOA is able to cover.
There are many factors to consider, including the young person’s income and whether their carer will experience financial hardship without the Carer Allowance.
If board is to be paid, it should be clear how much, how often and what it does and does not include. It might be useful to help the young person set up an automatic payment so that they have a record, and can experience how a process like this can be part of a budget and prevent missed payments.
To start or guide this conversation:
Discuss how the carer can support the young person’s transition to adulthood. This may include learning life skills like cooking or understanding more about financial literacy.
For a young adult in a safe environment, this is the opportunity to learn to do things for themselves rather than have things done for them. They should be encouraged to challenge and test their skills while there is an experienced person on hand to guide them.
The Independent Living Skills Checklist should have been discussed with the young person and their carer in casework from when the young person reaches the age of 15. It can be used to continue a conversation about what life skills the young person would like to learn more about from their carer. Show the carer some of the ideas about how to do this in Leading the Way.
Using the Independent Living Skills Checklist, ask the young person what they would most like to learn more about. Ask the carer how they, perhaps with your help, can help the young person gain those skills. Discuss how safe opportunities can be provided to test skills and gain knowledge and confidence.
Explain that, as the young person will be an adult household member, they will need a Working With Children Check (WWCC) for their carer to remain an authorised carer. This is not necessary if there are no other children in the home who are in care and the carer no longer wishes to remain authorised.
If the young person is unable to obtain a WWCC, help them apply to the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) for a Continuing Residency Approval.
As an adult, the young person has certain rights, as does the carer, and the rights of both must be respected.
Is it okay for the young person to have a partner stay overnight? Can they smoke inside the home? How do the carer and the young person feel about the use of alcohol or other drugs in the home?
These can be sensitive subjects, and it might be good to ask each person about these issues in private before having a group discussion.
Model a safe, non-judgemental discussion to support the young person and their carer to speak openly. Ask open-ended, curious questions. Create the space to have uncomfortable conversations that are vital to avoid tension, resentment or conflict later on.
Where there are concerns, ask what compromises would be acceptable. For example, the carer might agree to a young person’s partner staying overnight as long as they are not intoxicated, or on weekends only.
Doing chores helps young people learn basic housekeeping skills and teaches consideration of others, for example, keeping shared spaces tidy.
Discuss how the young person is able to contribute to the home, such as what chores they might do, when, and how often.
Talk about whether a schedule is needed to make it clear for everyone in the home.
Start this conversation by asking what the carer would most appreciate help with, and then ask the young person how they feel about those tasks.
Ask the young person how long it would take them to do the chores, and how much time they have available. Discuss skills that support young people to take on responsibilities around the home in addition to their other commitments, such as work and study, including time management and planning.
Being responsible and treating each other with honesty and respect is an important discussion. Talk to the young person and their carer about how basic courtesy and open communication will help everyone to get along.
Discuss boundaries and personal space, such as respecting each other’s privacy and knocking on bedroom doors.
Talk about how the young person and their carer could raise any issues in a constructive and respectful way. Are there good times to do this, such as over a meal? Are there bad times to do this, such as straight after a long day at work, or when there are visitors in the home?
The carer may be unsure how much or how little support the young person wants or needs. If the carer thinks that the young person is struggling, how should they broach this without being intrusive? Would the young person prefer their carer to just offer support and leave it to them to decide if they want to open a discussion? For example, ‘I notice you seem a bit down lately. I’m always here for you if there’s anything you want to talk about’.
Have a conversation about whether there are any set quiet hours, and what the expectations are around noise, parties or having friends over and cleaning up after them.
Ask if there are particular times during the day or evening when the young person or their carer really value a quiet or quieter home.
Help them come to agreement about when to plan activities so they don’t clash.
Talk to the young person and their carer about how to resolve issues if things don’t work out as well as they hoped.
Discuss ways to resolve issues, including if people aren’t keeping to the agreement, or if someone wants to change what was agreed.
Highlight services and supports that can help if the relationship between the young person and their carer is becoming strained, or if either of them is experiencing difficulties. ReachOut.com has sections for both young people and carers, and is full of useful information or can connect you to a trained person to chat with.
Talk about your future role if problems arise - will you still be in contact with the young person as part of their aftercare support, or can they contact you? Are there other trusted adults who can help mediate if that is needed?
Highlight to both the young person and their carer how they can contact you, another support person, or service if they have worries or safety concerns.
If the carer decides that the young person should move out, they should give as much notice to the young person as possible. This will allow the young person time to seek support and help with finding accommodation. The young person should, where possible, give their carer notice if they plan to move out. Discuss this and explain why giving notice is respectful to the other person.
Encourage the young person and their carer to agree on a reasonable notice period.
Start this conversation by emphasising that by keeping open communication and working together, the living arrangement can continue with more ease. However, normalise challenges. All relationships navigate differing perspectives, experience occasional difficulties, and there will inevitably come a time when the young person is ready to move on.
Ask the young person and their carer if they want you to make notes of what is agreed and give them a copy. This can serve as a reminder and help to settle any later disputes.
04 Oct 2023