PRESS RELEASE: CREATE Foundation and Key Assets Australia to host SA’s inaugural Leaving Care Expo

CREATE Foundation is excited to announce the first-ever Leaving Care Expo, taking place on Wednesday, October 9 at the St Clair Recreation Centre in Adelaide.

This landmark event aims to empower young people who have grown up in care with tools and information for the transition to independent living.

The Leaving Care Expo is a crucial opportunity for young people to access vital resources and information from 50 services on the one day, under the same roof.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in workshops that cover essential life skills, career planning, and health and wellbeing, all designed to support their journey into adulthood.

“CREATE is committed to ensuring young people with a care experience have the knowledge and connections they need to thrive,” said CREATE Foundation CEO, Imogen Edeson.

“This Expo was a request from young people in South Australia who told us they wanted to feel prepared for the big life change that is leaving care and stepping into independence,” said Ms Edeson.

The Expo will feature a range of engaging activities, including:

– Mini workshops
– The official launch of CREATE’s new podcast about young people’s journeys in care
– Free pizza, coffee and the chance to win an iPad (Terms and Conditions apply).

CREATE Foundation is proud to host this event in partnership with Key Assets Australia, as we work together to advocate for young people in care and ensure their voices are heard.

“Key Assets Australia and CREATE Foundation are aligned in achieving positive and lasting outcomes for children, young people, families and communities. This expo supports and empowers our young people, making sure their voices are heard and equipping them with important tools as they prepare for adulthood. We’re very proud to support this inaugural event,” said Key Assets Australia CEO, Dr Dianne Jackson.

Event Details
Who: Young people aged 15-25 with a care experience
Date: Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Location: St Clair Recreation Centre, 109 Woodville Road, Woodville, South Australia 5011
Session times: Session 1 – 10 AM – 12 PM OR Session 2 – 1 PM – 4 PM

Young people are encouraged to register for their session online at create.org.au. Carers and caseworkers are welcome to attend alongside them.

CREATE Foundation is the national consumer body representing the voices of children and young people with an out-of-home care experience. We provide programs to children and young people with a statutory care experience. We listen to what those with a lived experience of the care system tell us, and advocate with and for them to achieve systemic change.

*ENDS*

For further comment from CREATE’s CEO, Imogen Edeson, contact Taylor Toovey, Communications and Media Specialist via (m) 0478 814 752 or [email protected]

Key statistics on out-of-home care in Australia:
There are currently around 45,393 children and young people in out-of-home (OOHC) care nationally (AIHW, 2023).
As of 30 June 2022, of the 45,393 children and young people in out of home care, 19,432 identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (AIHW, 2023).
Nationwide, only 67.5% of children and young people in care feel they could have a say ‘reasonably often’ and 15.7% reported that they rarely or never had a say (McDowall, 2018).

References:
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023). Child protection Australia 2021–22. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/child-protection/child-protection-australia-2021-22
McDowall, J. J. (2018). Out-of-home care in Australia: Children and young people’s views after five years of National Standards. CREATE Foundation.