Successful Transitions to Independence
Our business relates to supporting young people to gain, maintain and sustain tenancies. We aim to reduce and prevent the cycle of homelessness. We partner with our community to raise awareness about Youth Homelessness and collaborate to find solutions. We deliver specific planned activities, programs and follow-up support focusing on life skills to foster independence and sustaining tenancies, health and wellbeing, and social and community engagement.
We are proud of our young people, their successful transitions to independence and their journeys the perfect example that one path doesn’t determine your direction.
Successful Transitions to Independence-Young Person (YP) Aged, 17 Years
Several agencies advocated for accommodation placement and housing assistance. On arrival, YP had minimal possessions and health concerns that required immediate mental health care assistance. YP required emergency relief assistance (personal items and clothing) and referral to treating health professionals. Due to immediate interpersonal conflict with other residents on arrival, the YP was required to be relocated to another accommodation site.
With high support needs relating to clinical mental health, this YP was unable to commence working on the Tenancy Program goals, they struggled to engage in the Living Together Program and required additional assistance with daily living skills. Often, they required daily mental health intervention, emergency assistance, clinical assistance or support to implement their clinical safety plan to keep them safe.
Youth Outreach’s view on a placement in a youth homelessness service for a young person experiencing such difficulties with their mental health is not considered an appropriate placement. Rather a health response would have been more appropriate to meet the high level of daily support required to meet individual needs. Specialised Mental Health Supported Accommodation would have been the appropriate support stream for this young person to assist with their recovery however this option is not available in Southeast Queensland.
Throughout their stay, the YP remained engaged with clinical mental health. YP required additional support to engage in all aspects of the Living Together Program. Goals related to recovery, keeping well strategies and connection to the community. Assistance to gain Disability Support payment and to commence the NDIS application process, which required additional financial assistance to complete assessments to support their application. Accessing psychiatrists to support assessment requires lengthy waiting periods. Housing opportunities were limited for the young person and ideally supported accommodation options would have been best suited to continue to assist with the young person’s recovery, however, this option was not available. The YP spent 9 months in service and was able to be accommodated with a family member.