The Home Stretch WA Community of Practice (CoP) is a collective impact initiative that supported the establishment and delivery of Home Stretch WA services across the state. Funded by the Department of Communities, it was facilitated by Anglicare WA in partnership with Yorganop Association, along with the collective efforts of young people with lived experience and the active participation of Home Stretch WA service providers. As a central hub and backbone resource, the CoP supported Home Stretch WA providers to deliver the service, and strengthen the model through innovation, reflective practice and a shared commitment to continuous improvement.
The CoP has been described as an ‘exemplar of good practice’ in system reform, and the impact of Home Stretch WA more broadly as ‘transformative for the system’ in Quantum’s Independent Formative Evaluation of the Home Stretch WA.
The Home Stretch National Campaign Launched across Australia to seek an extension of support for young people in state care. Home - The Home Stretch
Anglicare WA launched the Home Stretch campaign in WA, bringing together a campaign committee comprising representatives from youth services, researchers, leaving care services, peak bodies and Out of Home Care Service providers. A number of Aboriginal community leaders, along with representatives from Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations were critical partners that have been involved from the launch of the campaign.
Minister for Child Protection Simone McGurk announced the government’s decision to trial an extension of care to 21, a policy co-design sprint was held over 3 weeks to create a shared high-level vision for Home Stretch in WA
Create WA Youth Advisory Group developed for co-design of the model to ensure the voice of young people was always central.
Anglicare WA was commissioned by the WA Department of Communities to lead the Trial to co-design and test the model with the sector. The Trial commenced as a 12 month project with 15 young people. Additional funding by Lotterywest allowed for an expansion to an additional 25 places, financial resourcing for an Independent Evaluation, resources to engage Create Foundation to support a Youth Advisory Group and additional funding to undertake a parallel co-design project with an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation.
- Over 137 young people shared their story, 120 sector stakeholders were engaged and research from best practice from around the world informed the model.
For a full history visit Home Stretch WA Trial or read the Home Stretch WA Trial report and recommendations.
In 2020, Anglicare WA formally partnered together with Yorganop to undertake Nitja Nop Yorga Ngulla Mia, a co-design project to adapt the Home Stretch model to meet the needs of Aboriginal people.
In 2021, then-Premier Mark McGowan made an election commitment to permanently expand the Home Stretch WA Trial to provide the service offer to all young people aging out of care.
Anglicare WA and Yorganop were commissioned to co-deliver the Home Stretch WA CoP to support the implementation of the statewide roll out of Home Stretch WA in partnership with Department of Communities.
Yorganop commences as the first Aboriginal Community Controlled Provider delivering Home Stretch WA to eligible young Aboriginal people in metropolitan Perth.
In November Metro Home Stretch WA Service Providers commenced service delivery.
CoP provides training and onboarding for metro Home Stretch Providers.
In June 150 Young people have access to home Stretch WA.
The CoP worked with regional Home Stretch WA Providers to adapt the model to meet the needs of regional communities.
Six Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) start delivering the model in regional areas,
- MG Corporation (Kimberley region - Kununurra and Wyndham);
- Jungarni Jutiya (Kimberley region - Halls Creek);
- Broome Youth & Families Hub (Kimberley region - Broome and Derby);
- Marra Worra Worra (Kimberley region - Fitzroy Crossing)
- Bloodwood Tree Association (Pilbara region - Port Hedland, Marble Bar, Warralong, Yandeyarra and Newman); and
- Robe River Kuruma (Pilbara region - Karratha, Roebourne and Wickham)
13 Home Stretch WA Providers are delivering the Model and over 453 young people are supported across the WA.
The Home Stretch WA Community of Practice met for a State Wide Gathering in Walyalup to connect and share practice wisdom and reflect on the next steps as a community supporting young people across the state. Regional providers, metro providers, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOS) Community Service Organisations, Department of Communities Staff, Lived Experience Consultants, CoP Backbone Team and some special guests from the sector attended and discussed their shared vision for the future of Home Stretch in WA.
Check out the highlights and photo gallery
The CoP transitioned from a funded system CoP to a self-sustaining CoP network of Home Stretch WA Service Providers, with significant Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) membership. The CoP continues to meet for working groups and practice forums to refine the Home Stretch Model and share learnings.
