Part 2: Using the Ready, Set, Go Guide

2. How to use the guide

This Guide is an instrument which focuses on the young person and empowers them to define their goals and priorities in navigating a successful path to adulthood and independence. The young person and society worker will work through the Guide to identify areas requiring support and development as the young person prepares for adulthood.

The Guide is not intended for use as an actuarial tool or clinical assessment. It is intended to be used as a discussion aid to help young people identify their goals and priorities related to transition planning. Information gathered should direct all planning activities and be formalized in the Plan of Care or Ready, Set, Go (RSG) Youth Plan.

When using this Guide, and considering each indicator, special consideration should be given to ensure:

• the views and perspectives of the young person are central
• planning for each indicator is based on how soon the young person is expected to transition out of care
• planning is comprehensive and tailored to the young person’s individual needs
• planning is flexible and responsive to changing circumstances
• planning is responsive to the young person’s self-identified identity characteristics
• planning for First Nations, Inuit and Métis young persons recognizes their cultures, heritages, traditions, connection to their communities, and the concept of the extended family
• the young person is supported to increasingly take responsibility for progress towards goals

2.1: What are the key indicators?

The core focus of engagement of youth with lived experience was to inform the development of key indicators that are critical to successful transitions from care. The advice provided by youth reflect a deepening of six life dimensions identified in regulation (health, education, identity, family and social relationships, emotional and behavioural development, and self-care skills). These dimensions are reflected in the nine indicators listed below:

1. Documentation
2. Education, Training and Employment
3. Financial Stability and Financial Literacy
4. Health and Wellbeing (this includes emotional and behavioral development)
5. Housing
6. Identity, Culture and Belonging
7. Family and Social Relationships and Professional Supports
8. Rights, Responsibilities and Self-Advocacy
9. Self-Efficacy (this includes self-care).^{footnote 17[17]}

Important Note: It is important to understand that the planning process for leaving care occurs on a continuum. As such, not all indicators will be applicable at each required review of the Guide. Review of each indicator should focus on those that are most applicable to a young person’s plan at each required review of the Guide.

When using the guide:

• Make sure the young person understands and is engaged in reviewing each indicator.
• Build on the young person’s aspirations and strengths.
• Use point form and plain language in documentation.
• Specify who will have primary responsibility for each planned action – if this involves a group of people, underline who will coordinate.
• Specify when any service will be provided, or the action taken – ‘as soon as possible’ is not an appropriate description of timelines. 
• Determine the next review date for the Guide.