FAQ
Young People Looking for Support
If you are a young person between the ages of 16 and 21 seeking support, click here to find a list of Better Futures service providers’ contact details by town and/or area.
Information for service eligibility can be found below.
Carers Looking for Support
If you are a carer seeking support, click here to find a list of Better Futures service providers’ contact details by town and/or area.
Information for service eligibility can be found below.
Permanent Care
If you are a young person on permanent care or a carer seeking support, click here to find a list of Better Futures service providers’ contact details by town and/or area.
A referral pathway for young people subject to permanent care orders to Better Futures is via Permanent Care and Adoptive Families or the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency.
Visit Permanent Care and Adoptive Families, email info@pcafamilies.org.au, or phone 03 9020 1833.
Visit Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, or email pcopathways@vacca.org.
Service Providers
If you are a Better Futures service provider looking for more information about service scope and requirements, click here.
For service information about Home Stretch, click here.
If you are a professional, carer, or young person looking to contact your local Better Futures service provider, click here.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a referral to Better Futures, a young person must be:
- 15 years and 9 months, be in out-of-home care on a Care by Secretary Order, a Long-Term Care Order, or a Family Reunification Order, or
- Be subject to a permanent care order and residing with their permanent carer.
Young people are eligible for support from Better Futures until they reach the age of 21 years.
DFFH practice advice relating to Better Futures eligibility can be located here.
Home Stretch Eligibility
- Young people on a family reunification order, a care by secretary order, or a long-term care order leaving care services from 16 years of age.
- Young people subject to permanent care orders and residing with their carers immediately prior to their 18th birthday.
In the instance of young people on a family reunification order, a care by secretary order, or a long-term care order, Home Stretch arrangements start after a young person’s child protection order expires.
DFFH practice advice relating to different types of Home Stretch eligibility can be located here.
Joining the Community of Practice
Are you a Better Futures service provider or key stakeholder? Would you like to become a member of the Better Futures Community of Practice?
To find out more information, contact the Brotherhood of St Laurence via the webform here.
To access a list of Better Futures service providers’ contact details by town and/or area, click here.
