Young Victorians leaving state care will be better supported to transition to independent living as the Andrews Labor Government moves ahead with Australia’s largest ever Social Impact Bond.
Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos and Treasurer Tim Pallas today formally launched the COMPASS program, which has received commitments from large philanthropic funds and private individuals to invest $14.2 million in the program.
The program will give care leavers two years’ access to housing and provide them with a support worker to navigate their future, access education, training and employment, and other services based on their needs.
COMPASS aims to achieve a positive and effective transition from out-of-home care – leading to improved health, wellbeing and justice outcomes.
It will support more than 200 care leavers aged between 16 to 18 over the next five years, from foster, kinship and residential care in Melbourne’s west, inner north and Bendigo.
The COMPASS program will complement – not replace – existing services and programs for young people, such as the Home Stretch and Better Futures initiatives.
