For 19-year-old Ngarrindjeri man Joshua Prosso, the experience of approaching 18, and the end of his Supported Independent Living Services assistance, was a frightening one.
He spent nearly eight years in residential care, being moving into Supported Independent Living, before ageing out of care.
"I was terrified of leaving," he told NITV.
“I was afraid of catching the bus when I left.”
He says he was also anxious when he first moved into his own home.
“I was so paranoid that someone was in my house," he said.
His experience is not an isolated one.
A new inquiry has found young people leaving state care in South Australia need stronger support beyond the age of 18.
The state's Office of the Guardian for Children and Young People says young people leaving care can face a “cliff edge” when government support suddenly ends.
An inquiry into SILS has been tabled in the South Australian Parliament. SILS provides housing and support to young people transitioning from state care into independent living.
The inquiry found the service plays an important role, but that more needs to be done to prepare young people for life after care, recommending support continue until at least the age of 21.
Acting Guardian Sue Macdonald says turning 18 does not mean a young person is suddenly ready to live independently.
“When you are 18, you don’t have all the answers," she said.
She says young people need support to make mistakes, learn and build confidence.
Joshua agrees, believing young people need more preparation before they leave care, with individual goals and ongoing support.
He says young people should not be blamed if they do not meet those goals by the time they turn 18.
“If we’re not setting them up for independent living, we’re just setting them up for failure," he said.
Stronger support for First Nations young people
The inquiry found Aboriginal children and young people made up about 32 per cent of those using SILS.
Macdonald says First Nations young people need support that understands their cultural needs and connections.
She says Aboriginal-specific services should be considered instead of relying only on mainstream services.
The inquiry also found there are fewer services available in regional areas compared with Adelaide.
Macdonald says this can have a major impact on First Nations young people who need to stay connected to culture, kin and Country.
“How do you create individualised regional services for First Nations children and young people?”
The inquiry recommends a new Transition to Adulthood Framework across government.
Some of the other recommendations also include: support that continues beyond 18 and until at least 21; preparation for adulthood beginning by age 15; for services to provide stronger cultural support for First Nations young people and;strengthening regional and remote services.
Macdonald says leaving care can be an overwhelming time and young people should not have to navigate support systems on their own.
For Joshua, the goal is simple: young people leaving care should have the support they need to build a safe and stable future.
