An international community dedicated to improving the lives of children and young people in care gathered in Melbourne this week for the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) Congress.
Anchor Community Care joined child protection leaders, researchers and specialists from around the world to share ideas, research and innovation aimed at improving outcomes for children and young people.
Among the speakers was Anchor CEO Heidi Tucker, who presented on Anchor’s MyLife initiative and its approach to supporting young people as they transition from the care system to independent adulthood.
Supporting young people beyond the “cliff edge” of care
For many young people leaving foster care, kinship care or residential care, turning 18 can bring an abrupt transition to independence.
Without the right support, young care leavers can face significant challenges relating to housing, education, employment, finances and community connections. These challenges can contribute to entrenched disadvantage and increase the risk of experiencing homelessness in adulthood.
Heidi’s presentation, Beyond the Cliff Edge, explored how supporting young people before and during their transition from care can help build the foundations for a more stable and independent future.
Anchor’s MyLife initiative works alongside young people aged 16 to 18 as they prepare for adulthood, providing practical support and opportunities to build the skills, confidence and connections needed to navigate life beyond care.
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Safe and stable housing is the foundation for independence
A central message from Heidi’s presentation was that secure housing should not be something a young person has to earn by proving they are ready for independence. Safe and stable accommodation is the platform that can make independence possible.
When young people have a secure place to live, they are better able to focus on developing everyday skills, pursuing education and employment, building relationships and planning for their future. For young people transitioning from care, stable housing can be an important protective factor against the risk of homelessness.
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Supporting young people to build independence
Every young person involved with MyLife is supported by both a case manager and a youth worker.
Together, they work alongside young people as they navigate everything from health and daily living skills to education, employment and building stronger community connections.
A key principle of MyLife is to “do with, not do for.” Rather than simply solving problems for young people, the focus is on building their confidence, capacity and ability to make decisions for themselves. These skills and relationships can help young people sustain their independence as they move into adulthood.
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Hope is more than a nice thing to have
Another important insight shared by Heidi came from Anchor’s evaluation of MyLife which found positive growth in young people’s sense of hope, life satisfaction and gratitude as they moved through the initiative.
For Anchor’s youth workers, these outcomes reinforce something they see every day: self-belief and confidence are an important part of helping young people build an independent future.
Heidi encouraged ISPCAN Congress attendees to consider the importance of intentionally evaluating a young person’s sense of hope—not simply as an emotional outcome, but as part of understanding their capacity and confidence to navigate adulthood.
Sharing Anchor’s experience with a global child protection community
The ISPCAN Congress provided an important opportunity for Anchor Community Care to share our experience alongside global leaders in child protection, out-of-home care and services for young people.
It was an honour for Heidi Tucker and Anchor to contribute to an international conversation about how we can better support young people transitioning from care.
Preventing youth homelessness means more than responding once a young person reaches crisis. It also means investing in the support, housing, relationships and opportunities that can help young people build stable and independent lives before homelessness occurs.
Through MyLife, Anchor is continuing to explore what meaningful support for young people leaving care can look like—and how early support and long-term investment can help create better futures.
Want to learn more about MyLife and Anchor’s work supporting young people transitioning from care?
