A NEW State Government program which extended carer payments has already been accessed by 17 young people and more than 100 are set to become eligible over the next three years.
A further four young people who are yet to turn 18 have been referred to the program.
The Stability in Family Based Care scheme provides all family-based carers who continue to care for a young person after their long-term court order or other formal agreement expires at 18 years, extended carer payments up to 21 years.
The program includes foster, kinship and specific child-only carers.
Child Protection Minister Rachel Sanderson said she was pleased to see carers and young people taking up the extended payments.
“We know that young people who are supported in the family home past the age of 18 are going to do better in terms of their education, employment, friendships and support groups and their well-being,” she said.
“This program is providing our vulnerable young people with the extra security they need to branch out into the workforce, attend university of gain further training.
“I urge carers to have the conversation with their foster children about the benefits of staying at home for longer and consider taking up this very worthwhile program.”
The carers of young people who turned 18 after July 1 are eligible to receive fortnightly payments of $738.40.
Young people aged 17 and a half can apply to the program.
Child Protection Department chief executive Cathy Taylor said the program was designed to ensure young people who have had a care experience are well-supported to find their feet as they approach adulthood.
“Hopefully this program gives them the financial support they need to put their hand up to care for more children and young people in the future,” she said.
Connecting Foster and Kinship Carers SA chief executive Fiona Endacott welcomed the program and said it was a positive support for long-term carers and the young people they care for.
“Some of the feedback we received from our members is that more young people are staying at home into their 20s and still need that additional support before branching out on their own,” she said.
