NDIS fails to provide independent living skills for foster youth

Caught in the Gap: A Young Man’s Journey Highlights NDIS Transition Challenges from Foster Care

Coby, 19, finds comfort and purpose on his computer, spending almost all his time gaming or writing code. It’s a place where he feels safe and content.

But while his computer skills are improving rapidly, he also needs to build everyday life skills, like cooking and managing money. “I want to get more skills at cooking, money handling… I’m wasting my money on stupid things,” he shared.

Living with Level 2 autism, ADHD, and an intellectual disability, Coby often needs reminders for tasks like preparing meals and taking medication.

He moved into a Supported Independent Living (SIL) house in suburban Hobart just before his 18th birthday, sharing with two others. SIL provides daily support with tasks like personal care, cooking, and household management, helping participants live as independently as possible.

Coby values his current home: “I get the help and support that I need… I know most of the workers that come, I get along with them.”

Yet, the fear of losing this stability is constant. He’s been urged to consider moving four times this year, even into public housing. “If I had to move, my mental health wouldn’t be good because I would lose all of that,” he explained, adding that he now fears leaving his house in case he’s not allowed back.

Staff Acknowledge Support Issues

Coby missed crucial opportunities to develop independent living skills during his teenage years.

Child Safety Services was responsible for ensuring his National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan reflected his evolving needs as he approached adulthood. An NDIS plan outlines the funded supports a participant receives to achieve their goals.

However, Coby’s plan remained largely unchanged between the ages of 10 and 17. An outdated plan means vital support for developing skills or managing changing needs can be missed.

Internal communications, seen by this publication, reveal Child Safety workers and support staff were aware of these shortcomings.

One email noted, “I am sorry that [a review] has not occurred for three years… his needs would definitely be different to what they were three years ago.”

Another message acknowledged, “the plan has been rolled over multiple times with limited updates, resulting in outdated goals and potentially misaligned funding allocations.” This means the money allocated might not have been for the most relevant or effective supports Coby needed.

A third staff member described the plan as “completely out of whack with his current wants and needs.”

Challenges within Child Safety Services

These issues were exacerbated by severe funding and resource limitations within Child Safety Services. Staff admitted these constraints made it difficult to address concerns raised by Coby’s foster carers.

Emails stated, “unfortunately the ongoing lack of resourcing in [Child Safety Services] and [Out of Home Care] makes it very difficult for us to respond quickly… there are so many demands on our time.”

Another message highlighted that Out of Home Care was “isn’t currently able to offer much proactive support for carers.”

Staff also acknowledged that “the frequency of visits had decreased due to… a shared care management model and staffing numbers being lower than normal at present.”

Coby’s foster carers had expressed fears about his transition to adulthood, as their requests for appropriate NDIS supports went unaddressed.

Just before Coby turned 18, they received a government form informing them the department would no longer be his legal guardian and held “no legal responsibility for the young adult.”

Though Coby eventually moved into Supported Independent Living, his housing security remained uncertain.

Case Manager Raised ‘Couch Surfing’ as an Option

While Coby waited for his new Supported Independent Living arrangement to secure NDIS funding and provider approval, he received alternative housing offers from government agencies.

Among these were two public housing properties, which would have provided only about four hours of daily care support. Coby declined these options. Public housing typically offers less intensive, flexible support compared to the structured environment of Supported Independent Living, which can be crucial for individuals with complex needs.

“They think they’re trying to help me by wanting me to live on my own, when I’ve learnt nothing,” Coby stated, expressing his concern about moving to less intensive support without adequate preparation.

His refusal prompted an email to his foster parents from his case coordinator, engaged by Child Safety through a non-government organisation. The coordinator suggested Coby consider extreme alternatives: “I have asked he consider his options for accommodation — your home, shelter or couch surfing.” Suggesting “couch surfing” for a vulnerable young person with complex needs is deeply concerning, as it offers no stability, safety, or consistent support.

Expert Advice Ignored

Coby’s decision was supported by multiple reports from concerned medical practitioners.

One report stressed his need for 24-hour supervision until he developed critical independent living skills. Without this, the medical professional warned, “he will be taken advantage of, engage in unsafe, unhealthy and eventually criminal practices.”

Another report strongly recommended he remain in his Supported Independent Living house, stating he required “structure, consistent staffing, and trauma-informed supports to maintain his safety, participation, and wellbeing.”

A recent report questioned why these medical recommendations had not been fully followed, noting that “such an attitude can place him at risk of harm which can be seen as neglect.”

Alarmingly, some of these critical medical reports were provided to the department *before* Coby was offered public housing options.

Coby to Stay for Now, But Can’t Trust Agencies

Ultimately, Coby’s NDIS plan was updated, confirming his placement in his Supported Independent Living home until 2028.

However, the prolonged uncertainty and the way his support was managed have left him with a deep distrust of government agencies. He no longer returns their phone calls.

Future concerns loom, particularly given recent changes to NDIS eligibility and funding frameworks. These reforms aim to make the scheme more sustainable but have sparked widespread worries among participants and providers about potential cuts to support, which could make it harder for Coby to receive adequate support if he needs to live more independently in a few years.

The Call for Better Transition Planning

His former foster parents believe that if Child Safety Services had “followed the NDIS guidelines and started to do the appropriate assessments for adult needs at 16 years… we wouldn’t be here today with this issue.”

After the family submitted a list of grievances, the department responded that “there was no mismanagement of his [NDIS] funding,” while offering apologies for the challenges faced by the carers.

Kim Backhouse, CEO of Foster and Kinship Carers Association Tasmania (KFAT), confirmed that Coby’s situation is not unique. Many foster children in Tasmania face significant uncertainty transitioning to adulthood.

“It’s disappointing to learn that a foster carer placement with a young adult broke down through poor planning on behalf of the department around a complex matter,” Ms. Backhouse stated.

She emphasised that transition planning should begin much earlier, or the government should provide support for young adults to remain with foster parents until at least 21. “There is a gap in supports to transition young adults from Out of Home Care to the NDIS system in terms of their wellbeing,” she added.

Department Says Funding Has Been Increased

Child Safety Services in Tasmania has faced significant scrutiny. A 2021 commission of inquiry into child sexual abuse in institutional settings highlighted “chronic underfunding” in children and family services, limiting its ability to function effectively.

The commission’s final report identified “unrealistic caseloads that frontline staff have to manage” as a systemic issue causing harm.

Tasmanian Greens MP Cecily Rosol, herself a foster carer, echoed these concerns, stating that such situations lead to a young person’s needs being “pushed aside” and expert advice “being ignored.”

A Tasmanian department spokesperson noted that the children and youth system, including youth justice services, received $150 million in new funding in the last state budget. This funding includes three new disability service navigator roles, intended to help individuals and families navigate disability support systems more effectively.

The spokesperson affirmed that planning for adulthood “occurs well before young people in Out of Home Care turn 18” and that departmental staff play “an important role” in advocating for NDIS supports.

When asked if public housing with limited NDIS-funded care visits was a potential outcome for former foster children with disability, the spokesperson stated: “Young people leaving care have different needs and goals. There is no single housing model that is suitable for everyone.”

“The most appropriate housing and support arrangements depend on each young person’s level of independence, disability support needs, personal preferences and family, community and service connections,” they added.

What This Means For You

Coby’s story highlights critical gaps in how young people with disability transition from foster care to adult supports, particularly regarding NDIS planning and stable housing.

For Participants and Families: If you or someone you care for is approaching adulthood, especially from Out of Home Care, advocate for early and regular NDIS plan reviews starting well before age 18. Ensure your plan accurately reflects current needs and future goals, especially for independent living skills and housing. Don’t hesitate to seek and provide expert medical reports to support your requests during plan reviews.

For Service Providers: This case underscores the importance of inter-agency collaboration and clear communication when supporting complex transitions. Be proactive in identifying and flagging outdated plans or misaligned funding. Advocate for sufficient resources to ensure staff can manage caseloads effectively and provide timely, person-centred support, always prioritising the participant’s safety and wellbeing.

Ultimately, ensuring adequate planning and support for vulnerable young people with disability is crucial for their safety, wellbeing, and ability to thrive as they transition into adulthood.