Helping people become independent

Community Adolescent Programs (CAP)

ACT Together's Community Adolescent Programs (CAP) work flexibly with young people through Case Management and as practical support in Out-Of-Home Care, with an emphasis on independent living and education, training and employment.

We encourage young people to set their own goals and we work in partnership to achieve them.


OUR CAP SERVICE PRINCIPLES:

1.  Young people are the experts in their own lives
2.  Mutual respect governs the working relationship
3.  Person centred, holistic planning
4.  Promotion of independence
5.  Flexible and holistic support
6.  Empower, engage and enable young people to self-manage
7.  We don’t give up on young people, it may take a few attempts!



Hear from our young people

The Community Adolescent Program (CAP,) is changing the way Canberra supports its young care leavers into independence. Hear from some of our young people's experience and support they receive in our CAP programs.



Our Community Adolescent Programs

Below is a list of programs we have to support our young people towards becoming more independent.

  • Our CAP Outreach Program
    Provides case management support for young people in Out-Of-Home Care with an emphasis on building on young people's capacity for independent living and exploring housing options.

  • Our CAP Housing Program
    Provides housing options for young people transitioning from care to independent living.

  • Our CAP Aftercare Support Program
    Provides additional support for young people aged 18-25 years who have previously been in Out-Of-Home Care and are needing more support than what is available within the community. After care support is approved by CYPS on an individual basis.

  • Continuum of Care
    Is a subsidy payment for a set period of time for eligible young people in foster or kinship care placements (18-21 years) while they remain and are supported by their carers as they transition to independence.

  • Transition to Independent Living Allowance (TILA)
    This is an allowance to be used for a range of support services (like housing and transport) as well as training and education materials for eligible young people aged 15-25 years who are leaving care or who have been in care.



More information 

You can find more detailed information on our Community Adolescent Programs (CAP) in the brochures below or call ACT Together on (02) 6110 2200 or email: intake@acttogether.org.au



Lead Tenant

Exciting opportunities are now available to become a live-in mentor to young people as part of our Lead Tenant program with ACT Together.

The young people are aged between 15 – 17 years and are usually exiting residential care services. The Lead Tenant program is a way to support young people who can’t live at home and need to start working towards living on their own. It’s a transitional step – offering young people the freedom of living away from ‘parents’ or ‘carers’ but still having some support with case management, mentoring, life skills and community integration.

Lead tenants are volunteers who live with young people, rent free and are supported by ACT Together at a property based in Canberra for a minimum of 5 nights per week.


Who we are looking for:

Do you have the ability to be a live-in mentor within this unique model? We are looking for the right people who are enthusiastic, reliable, and committed to supporting a young person in their home, and to working closely with ACT Together to provide a healthy and fulfilling life for a young person.

Are you:

  • Interested in sharing a home with a young person developing independent skills?
  • Energetic, innovative and believe in inclusive opportunities for people of all abilities?
  • Able to respect, value and understand young person's needs?
  • Able to be a positive role model?
  • Over 25?


As the Lead Tenant you will:

  • Share a house rent free – in lieu of wages, some household expenses may be negotiated
  • Assist young people to develop household routines and manage their own day to day needs by being a positive role model
  • Establish positive meaningful relationships with the young people in the household, taking opportunities to support the development of the young person's living skills
  • Work with the young person to look for and act on opportunities to improve their connections with the broader community
  • Participate in discussions and house meetings and regular supervision with the Program Manager
  • Treat the home with respect and maintain a high level of cleanliness
  • Maintain effective communication
  • Be willing to undertake training and receive support
  • Obtain and maintain a Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) registration

For further information, please email info@acttogether.org.au or call 6110 2200 for a confidential discussion.