Better Futures I Leaving Care Service

Summary

flexible and tailored support for young people to transition from out of home care to independence.
post care support for young people up to 21 years old.
available to those who reside in the Department of Health and Human Services Region of North East Metropolitan Area (NEMA) and Hume/Merri-bek.

Transitioning to adult independence is an important time. MCM is here to help young people navigate the process.

Through the Better Futures program, a new post care initiative, MCM can assist care leavers across a range of life areas including:

housing
education and employment
health and wellbeing
community and cultural connection services.

Services include

provision of secondary consultation to care teams
case work support
information and advice
access to funding to help achieve goals
focus on the young person’s aspirations, goals and talents

Eligibility

To be eligible for Better Futures support, a young person must be in kinship care, foster care or residential care on or after their 16th birthday and on one of the following orders: Care by Secretary Order, Long-Term Care Order, or Family Reunification Order.

Those who are eligible will be will be referred by their child protections case manager or their contracted case manager when they are 15 years 9 months.

Support for the Better Futures program is available up until 21 years of age when the Child Protection Order finishes.

Where is support provided?

We provide support to young people who reside in the Department of Health and Human Services Region of North East Metropolitan Area (NEMA) and Hume/Moreland. These areas include:

City of Yarra
City of Darebin
City of Banyule
City of Nillumbik
City of Whittlesea
City of Hume
City of Merri-bek

How to access Better Futures

For more information please contact Better Futures Intake on 0436 403 377 or email betterfutures@mcm.org.au

Helpful links

Leaving care services

MCM places people at the centre of what we do

MCM acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the waterways and lands where we work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We commit to ensuring everyone we work with is safe, empowered, supported and respected, especially children and young people. We support and celebrate diversity of race, culture, ability, gender, sexuality and gender identity.