Next Steps Independent Living Program

Next Steps is a pilot service offering housing and support to help young people transition from residential care to adult life and independent living.

This service only accepts referrals from the Department for Child Protection.

Next Steps support is provided by Centacare in partnership with Housing Choices South Australia and Aboriginal Sobriety Group.

About our service

We support a fixed number of young people during the pilot period. Participants enter the Next Steps service at age 17 while in care and we provide ongoing support for up to three years, helping them transition to adulthood and secure long-term independent housing.

We aim for participants to live in stable, affordable accommodation, be in control of their lives whilst staying connected with the community, culture and the people that matter most to them.

This pilot service is funded by the Department for Child Protection until mid-2025.

Our supports

Next Steps provides flexible support on a voluntary basis based on housing-first, trauma responsive and adult service principles.  We recognise the critical importance of culturally safe support for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants.

The focus of our support may include:

• applying for housing and interacting with the public and community housing system,
• setting up a home,
• managing money,
• engaging with employment or education,
• exploring or connecting with culture,
• making sense of past experiences,
• obtaining healthcare and/or mental health support,
• maintaining safe, supportive connections with family and/or friends,
• building practical living skills,
• planning for the future.

Eligibility

Our service is for young people aged 17, living in Department for Child Protection (DCP) Residential Care and with complex needs. 

Cost

Next Steps is provided FREE to participants.

Referrals

Young people must be referred by the Department for Child Protection (DCP) and are accepted subject to the capacity limits of the pilot.

Locations

We are based at Seaton with outreach support throughout the Adelaide Metropolitan area.