Amina’s Plan

Amina is 19 and still living with her carers but wants to move out for more independence and so they can take in another foster child.

Amina’s cultural planning included frequent visits to her aunt’s house when others from her community would gather there for special occasions. This helped to develop knowledge of her culture and to build networks. Amina particularly liked learning about traditional foods.

Amina wants to move in with her aunt to maintain her family and cultural connections but it is a two storey house and Amina has a permanent medical condition that means she would not be able to use the stairs.

Amina’s aunt owns the house and is happy for a stair lift (also known as a chair lift or stair chair) to be added and has agreed to pay part of the cost.

Neither NDIS nor Medicare will pay for a stair lift in this instance.

DCJ agrees to contribute 75 per cent of the cost as it is expected to be a long term housing solution for Amina.

Measure of Wellbeing – Social / Living Skills and Peer Relationship

This example illustrates flexibility, individual tailoring and working with the young person and those around them to provide the assistance that best meets their needs including support to develop and maintain connection to their culture.

Amina’s plan also shows that higher value items can be included and that assistance can be provided indirectly where appropriate. I.e. as the house is not owned by Amina it could be argued that assistance is being provided to her aunt however, the indications are that Amina will remain long-term in the home.

Items such as stair lifts are not common in leaving care plans and will not feature on templates which is why they should not be overly relied upon.

Consider each person’s needs as an individual and what can reasonably be done to assist them. Due to the unusual nature of this expense and the cost, Out-of-Guidelines approval is required however that should in no way prevent it from being included in the plan.

This example also shows how actions (and financial assistance) to maintain a person’s identity and culture continue after they leave care.

Practice point – An Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) review found that plans developed in consultation with others who know and care about the young person (including family members, carers, mentors, other professionals) tend to be more comprehensive and better reflect the young person’s individual circumstances.

Participation of family and others from the young person’s community also helps to provide meaningful connections to culture and a strong sense of identity. Family and significant others should therefore be supported to participate in leaving care planning. The PSP 15+ Years Old Reconnect package can be used over three years to help build these connections.