There’s an app for almost everything these days – including for young people in care! There are actually a whole bunch of apps that can help you find your feet, organise your files or even transition from care. Here are our top picks – if you know an app we should include let us know!
1. Sortli
Now it’s even easier to find all the information you need to help support your transition from care to independence in this easy to use, free mobile app. The app was designed in consultation with young people who have already transitioned from care. It’s perfect for young people 15 years over as they start to plan for their future.
Sortli includes step-by-step guides for navigating some of life’s biggest challenges, such as finding a place to live,
looking after your health, managing your money, finding a job, doing some training, and understanding your legal rights.
You can set goals and track your progress with the Goal List, make a budget you can stick to with the Budget Planner, and find contact details for important services with the new Want to talk to someone? feature.
Sortli is available in Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Each version is regularly updated with state-specific information to help you find what you need.
2. CaringLife app
CaringLife gives children and young people in out-of-home or alternative care a way to see all the photos, videos and important memories from their time in care.
It connects you with your carers, and let’s you both upload c
ontent, write captions and see all the memories from your time together.
CaringLife is not a social media network – it’s designed to be a completely private way for you to see your memories.
If you move to a new care family or residential home, the new carers can be connected so you can both continue to upload all the new memories. The content can be accessed forever – even when you leave care or turn 18.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO DOWNLOAD
3. ibobbly
iBobbly is a social and emotional wellbeing self-help app for young Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Australians aged 15 years and over.
Completely private and confidential, it helps by showing you ways to manage your thoughts and feelings, as well as how to decide what is important in your life. Everything that is seen, heard and experienced in the app is shaped by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members to ensure that iBobbly is culturally informed and safe.
4. Smiling Mind
Smiling Mind involves a series of short exercises which guide children through breathing and becoming aware of their bodies to “put a smile on their mind”. It is based on the principle of “Mindfulness” – that is, being aware of taste, touch, sight and smell to be “in the moment” and truly achieve a sense of calm and perspective.
5. Kicbox – Queensland
Kicbox helps you keep track of things like personal mementos, photos, records and documents that make up your life story.
It’s a private, digital memory box that keeps everything safe and in one place. It also provides a more convenient way for you to communicate and share information with your Child Safety team.
Talk to your Child Safety team today to get started, or email the project team for more information.
6. myView – Western Australia
The myView app is a way for young people in care in Western Australia to easily connect with care teams on day-to-day matters, and to contact others in the Department like the Advocate for Children in Care and the Complaints Management Unit who can help with your problems or concerns.
The app offers information, emergency contacts and a section where you can securely record and store photos and memories to build up a comprehensive digital memory box throughout your time in care.
