Investing in young people’s futures
Seeking new ways to help young people leaving Out-of-Home Care, Anglicare Victoria (AV) partnered with VincentCare Victoria, the Victorian Government and 55 investors in 2018 to launch Compass Leaving Care, Australia’s largest Social Impact Bond.
$14.2 million was raised from 55 private investors to fund the innovative program.
“COMPASS is a really healthy thing. Having a program that allows you to have a home while you slowly transition from care for two years, it’s really helpful.”
A talented rap artist, Greg is working on finding employment to support himself as he builds his music career and continues to develop his independence.
The COMPASS program supports young people over a two year period to successfully transition from Out-of-Home Care and set them on a path to independence. The program has assisted a total of 182 participants transition out of care.
Participants are assigned a case worker, who work with participants to develop an individual plan. COMPASS sources and secures accommodation for young people, subsidising rent for a property owned or head-leased by COMPASS.
Three in every four (73 per cent) young people in the program are engaged in education or employment, and more than half of young people who worked with the COMPASS program are living in private rental accommodation.
Life Changing Support
It’s been a long journey for James who was just six years old when he was removed from his family home and placed in Out-of-Home care.
“I spent 12 years in resi,” says James. “Leaving has been a big transition, but COMPASS is a great program. It helps everybody in multiple different ways – and it helped me too.”
A participant in the COMPASS program, for almost two years, James has secure accommodation in a COMPASS-owned property and has a Key Worker who provides him with support, motivation and access to services that nurture his independence and aspirations.
*Name has been changed to protect identity
NB: The client featured is James, from the ‘Compass Annual Leaving Care’ video, speaking with Paul @ 1:11.30
182 current COMPASS program participants
73% engaged in education or employment
29 properties leased by COMPASS, 13 owned
45 young people have completed their two years with the Compass Program.
