Service Overview
The Better Futures and Home Stretch service is a new way of supporting young people who are making the transition from out-of-home care to independence.
A service that feels different
Young people transitioning from care want more autonomy, not case management.
Better Futures is a person-centred model which supports young people to thrive by aligning resources, opportunities and the community with their skills and aspirations. Home Stretch is delivered via Better Futures and is universally available to all eligible young people when they transition from care services.
The Better Futures service is underpinned by the Advantaged Thinking theoretical approach. Advantaged Thinking is based on the work of Colin Falconer from the Foyer Federation in the United Kingdom and has been adapted by BSL in a variety of settings across Australia.
The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing and BSL developed the Better Futures Advantaged Thinking Practice Framework.
The framework guides Better Futures workers to work in an Advantaged Thinking way. This means engaging with young people using a strengths-based approach, recognising and building their talents and aspirations.
BSL also co-facilitate the Community of Practice focused on driving continual practice development and collaboration across the government and the community services sector.
What support can young people receive?
Better Futures
The service offers post-care transitional guidance and flexible support ranging from:
- light-touch information, referrals and flexible funds
- episodic engagement and outreach
- direct sustained support.
Better Futures provides a new way of working with young people and their support networks throughout their transition from care services to adulthood by:
- person-centred planning build on participants goals and aspirations
- recognising that participants generally have the answers to their own problems when coached
- learning through positive risk taking and reflection.
Community Connections
Better Futures recognises that sustainable independence relies on young people having access to pathways, connections and relationships beyond the service system.
Community Connectors are a built-in part of the service charged with creating access to broader networks, pathways, and opportunities for young people. These roles operate out of every region in Victoria.
Home Stretch
The Home Stretch program is part of Better Futures support. It gives young people access to funding and continued supports across particularly housing, but also education, health and wellbeing, employment and social connections that will support them to establish a thriving livelihood.
Home Stretch is delivered via Better Futures and is universally available to all eligible young people when they transition from care services.
Support for Aboriginal young people
The Aboriginal Better Futures Our Way Practice Guide is for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs).
There are also Better Futures Our Way animations and fact sheets, which help guide Aboriginal young people leaving care and their carers to understand and use Better Futures Our Way.
Information for young people
There are many support services available to help you transition from care to independent living.
