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Care

I just read something that I wanted to share with anyone who has family members or themselves have or are currently living in the Victorian care system. 

http://thehomestretch.org.au/news/the-most-significant-reform-to-child-welfare-in-a-generation-victorian-government-leads-nation-in-announcing-universal-care-for-young-people-to-the-age-of-21/?fbclid=IwAR0EqEcO9VMJZtPMS83nMjqVqqjZa29dg-NNB1aKH2UjeB0YbXkoosJqW7I

 

Tonight the Victorian Government announced extending the age of out of home care, so young people in the care system will be supported until age21, so they can stay with their carer or transition into supported accomodation until then, instead of 18. 

I spent a lot of time in the system and this is huge as I certainly did not receive this support at age 18 when it finished for me, and I really needed it, and neither have some of my siblings received it . But I hope my siblings who are still young enough to utilise this feel safe and supported for a little bit longer. 

it’s huge news 

Saltwaterdreamtime
SaltwaterdreamtimePosted 24-11-2020 09:28 PM

Comments

 
Saltwaterdreamtime
SaltwaterdreamtimePosted 07-12-2020 09:09 PM

I’m so MAD! THIS IS SO FUCKING UNFAIR. APparently this doesn’t apply to my siblings they are in permanent care.

 
 
Taylor-RO
Taylor-ROPosted 07-12-2020 10:43 PM

Wow, I am deeply sorry to hear that @Saltwaterdreamtime Smiley Sad It is really sad when young people are forced to go out on their own - 18 years old is still so young and some people really need extra support. That is just so upsetting.. Did you read somewhere that it doesn't include people in permanent care? I would be interested to know why that is the case.

 
 
 
Saltwaterdreamtime
SaltwaterdreamtimePosted 07-12-2020 11:13 PM
DHHS said this: The permanent care order expires when the child turns 18
years of age but the close relationships established between permanent
parents and children last a lifetime.

Yeah... right. Doesn’t mean they have to “last a life time” doesn’t mean
they will be supported after 18. @Taylor-RO
 
 
 
Saltwaterdreamtime
SaltwaterdreamtimePosted 07-12-2020 10:52 PM
Also, didn’t mean to sound so aggresive and angry.
 
 
 
 
Taylor-RO
Taylor-ROPosted 07-12-2020 11:08 PM
I know it would be a very upsetting, frustrating and stressful thing for you to find out.. so I didn't think of it as aggressive or angry. Damn it though, I hope it somehow includes people in permanent care. If I am honest, I don't know much about it but feel free to keep us updated here because I would like to know more about it.. including why it excludes permanent care, if that is the case.
 
 
 
 
 
Saltwaterdreamtime
SaltwaterdreamtimePosted 07-12-2020 11:10 PM
It’s ridiculous
 
 
 
 
 
Bre-RO
Bre-ROPosted 08-12-2020 02:14 PM

Omg @Saltwaterdreamtime this would be such upsetting news for you to learn about and you are totally entitled to feel the way you do about it. Thinking of you and here to chat this afternoon if you need to vent some more 

 
 
 
 
 
Saltwaterdreamtime
SaltwaterdreamtimePosted 08-12-2020 03:21 PM

My heart just dropped when I found out @Bre-RO 

 
 
 
 
 
TOM-RO
TOM-ROPosted 08-12-2020 06:28 PM

@Saltwaterdreamtime That really is such awful news and such a huge shock to find out, your reactions completely make sense Smiley Sad

 

I'm so sorry that you have to be going through this, and like @Bre-RO said please do keep checking in with us and doing whatever you need to try and take care a little tonight

 
 
 
 
 
Saltwaterdreamtime
SaltwaterdreamtimePosted 08-12-2020 07:00 PM
I’m not so great @TOM-RO
 
 
 
 
 
TOM-RO
TOM-ROPosted 08-12-2020 07:35 PM

I think that's really understandable given what you've found out today Smiley Sad

 

What do you think we could do tonight to help support you, @Saltwaterdreamtime? Or is there anything that you can do for yourself offline?

 
 
 
 
 
Saltwaterdreamtime
SaltwaterdreamtimePosted 08-12-2020 07:43 PM

I’m more upset that i pretty much got my hopes up that something will go their way for once @TOM-RO 

And I keep reading stuff trying to find out but I already know it’s true 


we just went for a walk earlier which was nice 

 
 
 
 
 
TOM-RO
TOM-ROPosted 08-12-2020 08:29 PM

@Saltwaterdreamtime Having that feeling of hope and then having it ripped away like that would feel really awful, in a way it must be like trying to come to terms with a loss and trying to process all those different emotions of sadness and anger

 

I'm glad that you were able to go out for a talk today and that you've been talking with us about what's been going on, I hope that you can keep finding some nice things to do

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Saltwaterdreamtime
SaltwaterdreamtimePosted 08-12-2020 08:33 PM

It’s so unfair for them @TOM-RO 

 

We try to go for a walk most evenings 

 
 
 
 
 
Saltwaterdreamtime
SaltwaterdreamtimePosted 09-12-2020 01:12 PM

I was thinking about a writing a letter and also asking other people concerned about this to do it too, do you think it’s a good idea? Will somebody listen to what I have to say? 

 
 
 
 
 
Saltwaterdreamtime
SaltwaterdreamtimePosted 07-12-2020 11:14 PM
@Taylor-RO DHHS said this... The permanent care order expires when the child turns 18 years of age but the close relationships established between permanent parents and children last a lifetime.

So yeah it’s only to 18. Just because relationships can last a lifetime doesn’t mean they all do. That’s why they are in care to begin with.
 
 
 
 
Saltwaterdreamtime
SaltwaterdreamtimePosted 07-12-2020 10:55 PM
@Taylor-RO I have been doing some reading and all the articles say foster care and resi care. Not once in any article is pc mentioned. It’s bullshit.
 
 
 
Saltwaterdreamtime
SaltwaterdreamtimePosted 07-12-2020 10:51 PM
@Taylor-RO I read it tonight. Lots of other people commenting on the article about it. I didn’t know this until tonight. I’m trying to find out.
 
Hannah-RO
Hannah-ROPosted 25-11-2020 11:46 AM

Wow @Saltwaterdreamtime ! That is huge news. That is so amazing that they are increasing the age, its sad that it has taken this long for that to happen but it's great its finally happened. Its shit that you and some of your siblings didn't get support when you turned 18, what a huge flaw in the system that somehow when people turn 18 things are just magically ok? Ugh. Ridiculous.

Thanks for posting this, I hope other states follow suit as well and that your siblings are able to be supported by this Heart

 

 
 
Saltwaterdreamtime
SaltwaterdreamtimePosted 27-11-2020 04:36 PM

@Hannah-RO  Thank you, it wasn’t fair to expect an 18 year old to find their own way when most who live with their parents aren’t expected to, but I’m glad it’s changed now 

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