Australian Capital Territory
Children and Young People (ACT Out of Home Care) Standards 2016 (No 1)*
Disallowable instrument DI2016-3
made under the  
Children and Young People Act 2008, section 887 (Standard-making Power)

1	Name of instrument
This instrument is the Children and Young People (ACT Out of Home Care) Standards 2016 (No 1).
2	Commencement 
This instrument commences on 1 July 2016. 
3	Standards
I make the following ACT Out of Home Care Standards.

ACT Out of Home Care Standards 2016 
Standard 1
Children and young people will be provided with stability and security during their time in care.

Standard 2
Children and young people participate in decisions that have an impact on their lives.

Standard 3
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities participate in decisions concerning the care and placement of their children and young people.

Standard 4
Each child and young person has an individualised plan that details their health, education and other needs.

Standard 5
Children and young people have their physical, developmental, psychosocial and mental health needs assessed and attended to in a timely way.

Standard 6
Children and young people in care access and participate in education and early childhood services to maximise their educational outcomes.

Standard 7
Children and young people up to at least 18 years are supported to be engaged in appropriate education, training and/or employment.

Standard 8
Children and young people in care are supported to participate in social and/or recreational activities of their choice, such as sporting, cultural or community activity.

Standard 9
Children and young people are supported to safely and appropriately maintain connection with family, be they birth parents, siblings or other family members.

Standard 10
Children and young people in care are supported to develop their identity, safely and appropriately, through contact with their families, friends, culture, spiritual sources and communities and have their life history recorded as they grow up.

Standard 11
Children and young people in care are supported to safely and appropriately identify and stay in touch, with at least one other person who cares about their future, who they can turn to for support and advice.

Standard 12
Carers are assessed and receive relevant ongoing training, development and support, in order to provide quality care.

Standard 13
Children and young people have a transition from care plan commencing at 15 years old which details support to be provided after leaving care.

Mick Gentleman
Minister for Children and Young People 
21 January 2016