This study addresses a current gap in Australian transition-from-care literature around the social support needs of young people transitioning from care. The purpose of the study was two-fold; to reveal insights around social support needs and to investigate how an applied drama process facilitated the generation of knowledge and supported participation and engagement among research participants. An overarching Applied Theatre as Research (ATAR) methodology was adopted which utilised applied drama techniques in the development of a participatory workshop positioning participants as co-researchers. Participants with a transition-from-care experience took part in both the workshop and interviews, which were conducted alongside an interview with a professional which provided a service-provider perspective. Findings revealed the importance of the nature of relationships – and relational qualities – over the number, presence, or absence of certain relationships within a young person’s network. The variety contained within a young person’s social network in their lead up to transition was also identified as a marker for a more robust and satisfying level of support into adulthood. Data also revealed systemic barriers to the development of social support and the maintenance of relationships, particularly those with peers and family. The applied drama process highlighted the disparity of experience for young people transitioning from care and elicited a range of emotions towards transition and social support not otherwise evident from the interviews alone. The methods adopted during the workshop generated positive feedback from participants, and provided a framework for group collaboration, shared meaning-making, and reflection on participants’ personal experiences and those of their peers. There are both research and practice implications for this research. The findings revealed areas for future study and suggested that participatory and applied drama methods may be usefully applied across a transition planning and preparation process, and in future research with this cohort. The applied drama process has the potential to facilitate engagement and enable active decision-making. It also provides an opportunity for young people transitioning from care to story their experience within a social and creative environment that may help to make sense of aspects of their experiences alongside, and in collaboration with, others on a similar journey to independence.