Adolescent accommodation
Adolescent community placements
Adolescent community placements offer flexible and individualised solutions for the accommodation of young people. These young people may be damaged by their experiences in the care system or by abuse and neglect earlier in life and as a 
consequence, may be difficult to help.
Many adolescents in this program are not seeking an alternative family but require the opportunity to develop and mature in a supported environment. The provision of a safe environment where survival and security are not constant worries significantly reduces stress and exposure to danger in their lives.
Some examples of accommodation may be placements with carers, individual housing, supported accommodation, boarding and group housing.
Our adolescent community placement program aims to provide a safe place to stay, mediation with families (whether or not they may return home to live) and assistance with training, education and social skills. In addition, the program may provide a significant, stable adult in the role of mentor who may help them with long-term goals and focus.
Transition program
The transition program at Barnardos Canberra offers a variety of medium to long-term solutions for chronically homeless young people aged between 15-21 years.
These options include:
Head-leased accommodation
As many young people are excluded from renting flats by their age or lack of job and personal references, Barnardos leases units and assists and supports young people to learn domestic and budgeting skills.
Family placements
Foster care for adolescents – a good solution for adolescents who need the support of a family structure.
Boarding arrangements
This is an option for young people who are more independent and may even make a contribution to the assisted rent.
Support in rental accommodation
This can take place in private or Housing Trust accommodation: a worker will assist with budgeting, medical and legal issues and may advocate with a landlord on the young person’s behalf.
Caravans
An imaginative solution if appropriate space can be found for the caravan. This may be in the backyard of a supportive family