AUSTRALIA
Delegate who knows the importance of knowledge
Chris Ticehurst has as good an understanding as anybody of the challenges of leaving foster care for adult life, which is why he will be one of three ACT delegates at a national youth advisory council next week.
The 24-year-old was first placed in foster care at 11, and moved back and forth between foster carers and extended family for several years. ''My main influence was my uncle, who was a mentor and very important to me through Year 11 and 12,'' he said.
Like many young people ''transitioning'', or leaving foster care, Mr Ticehurst found he often had little idea of how to negotiate life as an independent adult. He hadn't been aware of the one-off transition to living allowance provided by the Federal Government, for example. ''Knowledge is power,'' he said, ''so it's very important that people leaving foster care are taught the basics of adult life.'' After struggling with depression for several years, Mr Ticehurst is now studying Community Services at the Canberra Institute of Technology.
He will be one of three ACT delegates attending the second National Youth Advisory Council Summit, which runs from February 20 to February 22, along with 21 other delegates from around Australia. The summit is hosted by the CREATE Foundation, a national support and advocacy organisation for people in care. Over three days, delegates will discuss issues relating to children and young people in care, as well as potential solutions.
At the end of the conference, delegates will meet federal and state ministers, as well as decisions makers from child protection agencies.
CREATE chief executive Jacqui Reed said last year's inaugural conference had been ''very useful'', achieving tangible results for young people leaving foster care. ''As a result of the summit, there were some significant changes in some areas of policy, and in some buckets of funding. But most importantly, young people felt empowered because they were involved in the political process, and learned new skills,'' Ms Reed said.
David Curfry
14 February 2010
