Preparing for independence

What's Important To Us

When young people are getting ready to leave our care, some of them may lack confidence and find the prospect of independence challenging. It is important that we work together with the young person to make a plan that shows them what they need to do, by when, and who will help them do it.

 

Young people moving to independence need stability and belonging when they leave care.  Achieving this move from dependence to independence takes time (at least two years) and a network of people they can rely on now and into their adult years.    

The most important thing when transition planning is the time spent in building the young person's support network outside of Child Youth and Family (CYF), and for this network to offer their time, advice and support to the young person to meet their goals.  Young people want their network to be people they trust and can relate to, and who will be there when needed.  Reconnecting young people with and strengthening family/whānau relationships is vitally important as part of this network. 

Regular reviews of progress should occur dependent on the wishes and needs of the young person.  When writing the plan it's best not to assume the young person will be able to carry out 'basic' tasks as they may need support to do this.  Achieving tasks will build their confidence in themselves to be able to be independent.

Areas that should be included in the plan are:

  • family/whānau and social relationships
  • practical skills for independent living (life skills)
  • accommodation
  • education, training and employment options
  • health and development
  • financial arrangements

For an example of a plan for independent living see below.

Towards independence: voices of young people

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Towards living independently plan (example)

This is an example transition plan however encourage the young person to individualise their own plan.

Jimmy's future
Longer term plans: This may include accommodation, financial supports, employment/education/training, family/whānau/peer supports.  It's best that this is not a long list as it may be overwhelming and can be added to and/or changed.

  • I will be able to financially support myself
  • I'll be able to drive a car
  • I'll complete secondary school at Waihi College

How to make this happen  
Short-term goals contribute towards the long-term goals and depend on the abilities and wishes of the young person and the supports that are available.  Each goal should be broken down into smaller steps if necessary to build the young person's skills, self-confidence and self esteem.		 Who will help & by when  

 I'll register with Work and Income for the IYB - to do this I will:

  • Look up the number in phone book or on-line
  • Ring and make an appointment with the local office and write the date / time down, and what documentation I need to take
  • Prepare the documentation (letter from CYF, proof of identity, existing client number if I have one, proof of address, bank account number)
  • Attend the appointment
  •  Jenny, social worker to write letter by Friday 5th March
  • Jan, caregiver will help me contact W&I by Monday 1st March.
  • Uncle Joe will come with me to the appointment

 I'll get my learner licence - to do this I will:

  • go to the driver's licence agent at BP on Ford Street.  Take birth certificate for ID and evidence of address
  • fill out an application form
  • book a time to take the theory test (at least 6 weeks away)
  • pay for the theory test and the learner licence application
  • have photograph taken, sign documents
  • study for theory
  • sit theory test
  • I will do this on my own, and ask my mate Jon to come with me
  • CYF has agreed to pay for my learner licence
  • I will ask Jon and Uncle Joe to ask me questions each week to help me prepare for test

 I'll complete secondary school at Waihi College - to do this I will:

  • stay at school for 2009 and 2010
  • meet with Jenny to find out how I'll pay for my books, camps, fees, uniform, after school art classes and soccer fees/soccer shoes (after I turn 17), as well as where I will live until I finish school.  Jenny to find out what CYF can cover and whether I can live with Jan until the end of 2010
  • I will phone W&I and Studylink to find out if they can
  •  Meet with Jenny at Youth Connex on Tuesday 10th March at 4.30pm, with Jack, youth worker.
  • I will phone W&I and Studylink from Youth Connex with Jack before we meet Jenny.

We will all meet at Jan's place on the first Monday every month at 4pm to check in how everything is going - invited is Jan, Jenny, Jack, Uncle Joe, Aunty Kath and Jon.  If I need extra help I'll ask for it rather right away.

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