[Sub ID 4477] The Future Foundation (Policy Hack Table 5)

Submission ID: 4477
Organisation name: Policy Hack Table 5 (Carers)

Which priority group of the Try, Test and Learn Fund does your idea support?
Young carers

What need or issue are you trying to address? Young carers transitioning from a caring role, who are not supported to develop a strong sense of their potential futures and connect with networks, are more likely to have limited pathways to employment. This increases their risk of long-term dependence on welfare.
In 2014-15, there were 11,200 young people under 25 years of age who received carer payment. The Investment Approach Baseline Valuation Information shows that if nothing changes, it is forecast that 60 per cent of young carers will be on income support in 10 years and 50 per cent in 20 years. 16 per cent of young cares are expected to access income support in each year for the rest of their lives. These projections bear costly social and wellbeing implications for young carers as well as long-term social and economic costs for Governments.

Young carers are often entrenched in their caring role and may be deprived of opportunities to focus on their own needs and aspirations, and instead are caught up in the immediate care needs of others. Many have also experienced adverse emotional, physical and psychological consequences as a result of their caring role. For some young carers, an absence of positive role models or mentors to help them envisage a future can form an additional barrier to developing employment and life aspirations. The absence of clear aspirations is compounded by lack of access to useful ne

What is your idea?
The Future Foundation is a tailored wrap-around service for young carers at a critical transition period, where there has been a decrease or end to their caring role, and they are at risk of moving from carer payments onto another welfare payment.

Transitioning young carers will be connected to the Future Foundation following a trigger in the DHS system identifying coming off a carer payment. They will link the young carers to a range of services and networks, to address their needs and support them to develop pathways to reach longer-term goals. Young carers will be connected to existing supports and flexible funding to complement their plan, if required. They may also be connected with a mentor to champion their needs, including finding work experience.

Using a strengths-based approach, the Future Foundation will assist young carers to identify their aspirations and;
• address impacts of caring and immediate needs (grief counselling, healthcare, lost education)
• consider future life and employment aspirations (resilience / life skills);
• plan and prepare for ‘next steps’ (resume, work experience, education, training, employment)
• deal with barriers that restrict employment (transport/suitable clothing/ housing).

The Future Foundation will reduce stressors confronting young transitioning carers to improve their life chances.