An Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) Client Experience Initiative (CEI) grant was the driving force behind AbSec’s Leaving Care Hub, a new online resource to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people as they move on from out-of-home care.
AbSec is dedicated to protecting the welfare of Aboriginal children, young people and families in New South Wales by making sure they have access to services and support to keep them safe.
The Leaving Care Hub addresses a clear and urgent need to help young people understand their rights, access housing, financial support and support services, and stay connected to culture, family and community after leaving care.
The Hub was launched at AbSec’s Quarterly Sector Youth-led Forum in Little Bay on Dharawal Country on 20 May 2026.
The CEI grant helped AbSec develop the website in partnership with Dhiira, an Aboriginal-owned consultancy and advisory company driving real change for Aboriginal people.
Extensive co-design workshops were held with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people with lived experience of transitioning from care. Their voices, insights and experiences directly shaped the Hub’s content, making sure it’s practical, culturally grounded and responsive to the real needs of young people at every stage of the transition towards independence.
AHO Chief Executive Famey Williams said: “AbSec plays a critical role in strengthening Aboriginal communities and ensuring children are connected to their families, culture and identity. We are proud to have supported their efforts through this grant and look forward to seeing the impact this project will have for Aboriginal young people in supporting long-term, authentic change.”
CEI is part of the AHO’s Strong Family, Strong Communities strategy. The program supports better housing and related outcomes for Aboriginal people and families by facilitating partnerships across human services agencies and Aboriginal organisations and creating opportunities for economic participation. It delivers a new service model for collaborating with Aboriginal organisations to produce initiatives that are Aboriginal-led and address local needs identified by the community.
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