Introduction
Specialised substitute residential care refers to an arrangement between a parent and an organisation where a child receives care away from their usual home for three or more nights within any seven-day period. This type of care is essential for providing respite or behaviour support and is often funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This guide will explore the types of care, the regulatory framework under the Child Safe Scheme, and the role of the Office of the Children’s Guardian in overseeing these arrangements.
Types of Care
Specialised substitute residential care can take various forms, each tailored to meet the specific needs of the child and their family. Here are the primary types of care:
- Group Homes and Respite Facilities
- Description: Children may stay in a group home, respite facility, hotel, or Airbnb environment for three or more nights within a seven-day period.
- Purpose: These stays provide a temporary break for families and offer a supportive environment for the child
- NDIS-Funded Short-Term Accommodation
- Description: This type of care is specifically funded by the NDIS and includes short-term accommodation options.
- Purpose: It is designed to support children with disabilities, providing them with the necessary care and support in a structured environment.
- Host Family Arrangements
- Description: Children may stay overnight with another family in a ‘host family’ arrangement for three or more nights.
- Purpose: These arrangements offer a home-like environment and can be beneficial for children needing consistent care in a family setting.
- Longer-Term Residential Care
- Description: This involves longer-term stays in residential facilities.
- Purpose: It caters to children who require extended periods of care away from their usual home environment due to various circumstances.
- Behaviour Support Programs
- Description: These residential programs focus on behaviour change and may include rehabilitation programs for issues like alcohol and drug use.
- Purpose: They aim to provide a structured environment to support behavioural improvements.
- Respite or Behaviour Support Camps
- Description: Camps lasting three or more nights that focus on providing respite or behaviour support, often funded by the NDIS.
- Purpose: These camps offer a temporary break for families while providing the child with a structured and supportive environment.
Specialised substitute residential care can be a one-off arrangement in emergencies or involve frequent or long-term care. Regardless of the duration, the organisation or sole trader providing the care must record the stay on the specialised substitute residential care register. This register is crucial for tracking the total days a child spends in care to ensure they do not remain in care for extended periods without proper oversight.
Regulation under the Child Safe Scheme
Specialised substitute residential care is regulated under the Child Safe Scheme to ensure the safety and well-being of children in these arrangements. The key components of this regulation include:
- Code of Practice Compliance
- Requirement: Organisations providing specialised substitute residential care must adhere to a code of practice.
- Purpose: The code of practice outlines the minimum requirements for implementing the Child Safe Standards, ensuring a consistent and safe approach to care.
- Benefits of Regulation
- Streamlined Requirements: The regulatory framework reduces duplication, making it easier for organisations to comply.
- Clearer Obligations: Organisations have a better understanding of their responsibilities, strengthening safeguards for children.
- Continuous Improvement: The scheme supports organisations in continuously improving their practices.
- Enhanced Compliance: The regulatory body has stronger powers to ensure compliance, protecting children’s safety and well-being.
Role of the Office of the Children’s Guardian
The Office of the Children’s Guardian plays a vital role in monitoring and overseeing organisations that provide specialised substitute residential care under the Children’s Guardian Act 2019 and Children’s Guardian Regulation 2022. Here are the key responsibilities and functions:
- Monitoring and Compliance
- Responsibility: The Office of the Children’s Guardian monitors organisations to ensure they comply with the regulatory requirements.
- Purpose: This oversight ensures that all organisations providing care adhere to the highest standards of safety and well-being for children.
- Self-Assessment Requirements
- Requirement: Organisations must complete a self-assessment of their compliance with the Child Safe Standards.
- Purpose: The self-assessment helps organisations identify areas for improvement and ensure they meet all regulatory requirements.
- Online Self-Assessment
- Convenience: The self-assessment process can be completed online, making it accessible and straightforward for organisations.
- Support: The Office provides detailed information and guidance for providers to help them understand the code of practice and complete the self-assessment accurately.
Conclusion
Specialised substitute residential care is a critical service that supports children and their families by providing necessary respite and behaviour support. The regulatory framework under the Child Safe Scheme and the oversight by the Office of the Children’s Guardian ensure that these services are delivered safely and effectively. By adhering to the code of practice and undergoing regular self-assessments, organisations can continually improve their care standards, ultimately enhancing the well-being and quality of life for the children they support.
This comprehensive approach to specialised substitute residential care demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding children and providing them with the highest quality of care. Whether through short-term respite, long-term residential care, or specialised behaviour support programs, these services play an essential role in supporting families and helping children achieve their full potential.
