Providing Stable, Nurturing Home Environments
At the heart of any effective child protection and care system are the fundamental rights of children and young people to live in safe, supportive, and stable home environments where they can thrive. Ensuring these basic needs are met is critical, as children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or family crises often face significant challenges in rebuilding their lives.
The Queensland government has taken important steps to revitalize the child protection system and provide more personalized care options that cater to the unique needs of young people. One key initiative is the “My Home” program, which aims to place children under 6 years old who cannot safely return to their families with permanent foster carers. This approach prioritizes creating a loving, nurturing household where the child is considered a full member of the family, rather than just a temporary placement.
By focusing on permanent, long-term placements, the “My Home” program helps children develop the secure attachments and sense of belonging that are so crucial for healthy development. “Providing a permanent, stable home life allows children to form trusting and secure attachments to their carers, develop to their full potential and feel a sense of belonging with family and community,” the government notes.
In addition to permanent foster care, the government has also implemented the “Hope and Healing Framework” for residential care workers. This trauma-informed approach equips staff with the skills and knowledge to provide therapeutic care that acknowledges young people’s lived experiences of abuse and neglect. Mandatory training modules cover topics like understanding positive behavior support and managing high-risk behaviors, ensuring residential care environments can effectively meet complex needs.
Strengthening the Residential Care Workforce
Providing high-quality, specialized care for vulnerable children and young people requires a skilled and capable workforce. The Queensland government has taken important steps to strengthen the residential care sector through the Minimum Qualification Standards (MQS).
Under the MQS, all residential care staff and their direct supervisors must hold specific qualifications, such as a Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention or a Diploma of Community Services. This ensures the residential care workforce has the necessary skills and training to support young people’s safety, wellbeing, and best interests.
The implementation of the MQS, alongside the Hope and Healing Framework, directly addresses recommendations from the Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry to improve outcomes for young people in residential care. By raising the bar for staff capabilities, the government is investing in a more capable, trauma-informed workforce that can better meet the complex needs of the children and adolescents in their care.
Reducing the Criminalization of Care-Experienced Young People
One concerning issue that has plagued the care system is the tendency for young people in residential placements to experience unnecessary exposure to law enforcement and become unnecessarily criminalized. To address this, the Queensland government has implemented the Joint Agency Protocol to Reduce Preventable Police Call-Outs to Residential Care Services.
This protocol, developed collaboratively between government agencies and non-profit representatives, aims to improve support for care-experienced young people by providing more appropriate, trauma-informed responses to incidents. The protocol encourages residential care services to align their internal policies and procedures to prioritize de-escalation tactics, minimize police involvement, and ensure young people’s experiences do not lead to unwarranted criminal records.
“Children and young people in residential care reported unnecessary exposure to police, and that they were being criminalized, as a result of police being called in response to actions that would not be treated as criminal in a family home,” the government explains. By addressing this critical issue, the protocol helps safeguard the wellbeing of care-experienced young people and prevents the compounding of trauma they may have already experienced.
Improving Health and Wellbeing Outcomes
In addition to providing stable living environments and building a capable care workforce, the Queensland government has also implemented initiatives to better address the health and therapeutic needs of children and young people in the care system.
One such program is Evolve Therapeutic Services (ETS), which delivers mental health intervention and behavior support services to young people with severe and complex needs. Delivered by Queensland Health, ETS works alongside young people’s usual care providers to coordinate specialized therapeutic and clinical care, helping improve their overall health and wellbeing.
Another initiative, Navigate Your Health, focuses on ensuring all children and young people in care receive comprehensive health and developmental assessments. Dedicated Nurse Navigators work across the child safety system to coordinate access to necessary medical, allied health, and community-based services. This proactive, holistic approach to care helps address any physical, emotional, or developmental needs early, setting young people up for better long-term outcomes.
By prioritizing the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of care-experienced young people, the Queensland government is taking a critical step in supporting their overall growth and development. Integrating these health-focused programs within the broader care system helps create a more cohesive, wrap-around support network.
Preparing Young People for Independence
As young people approach the transition out of the care system and into independent adulthood, specialized support becomes even more essential. The Queensland government has recognized this crucial period and implemented several initiatives to better prepare care leavers for this significant life change.
One key program is the new Enhanced Pathway and Transition Support (EPCS) services, which provide a range of practical and emotional support to young people aged 15 to 25 as they leave care. These services assist with finding safe and affordable housing, maintaining family and community connections, accessing healthcare, and pursuing education or employment opportunities. The EPCS services complement, rather than duplicate, the existing support services available, ensuring a comprehensive continuum of care.
Building on the success of the previous Next Step After Care program, the redesigned Next Step Plus initiative further strengthens the transition support available to young people. Starting from age 15, this program helps care-experienced youth develop the essential life skills and knowledge needed to live independently. Crucially, the program also ensures those who have already left care can access additional support if needed, recognizing that the path to independence is not always linear.
For young people with complex needs, such as disabilities, mental health challenges, or youth justice involvement, the Transition and Post Care Support (TPCS) program provides specialized assistance. Transition Officers work directly with these vulnerable young adults, as well as their support networks, to address the risk of homelessness and ensure a stable, well-supported transition to adulthood.
To complement these holistic support programs, the Queensland government has also developed the Sortli mobile app. Sortli empowers care-experienced youth to take an active role in planning for their future, providing interactive tools and resources to help them organize their lives and transition to independence.
By investing in a range of tailored transition support services, the Queensland government is demonstrating a strong commitment to improving outcomes for care leavers. Recognizing the unique challenges they face, these initiatives aim to equip young people with the skills, connections, and resources they need to thrive as independent adults.
Conclusion
The Queensland government’s comprehensive approach to improving the care and post-care experiences of children and young people is a testament to its dedication to supporting some of the state’s most vulnerable members. From prioritizing stable, nurturing home environments and strengthening the residential care workforce to enhancing health and wellbeing support and preparing young people for independent living, these initiatives collectively address the multifaceted needs of care-experienced individuals.
By continuously reviewing and refining the child protection system, the government is working to ensure children and young people receive the personalized, trauma-informed care they deserve. Through collaborative partnerships, innovative programs, and a focus on improving long-term outcomes, Queensland is setting a strong example for how to create a more equitable, effective, and empowering care system.
As a seasoned construction professional and interior designer, I’m deeply inspired by the Queensland government’s holistic approach to supporting care-experienced young people. Providing stable, nurturing homes, building a capable workforce, addressing health needs, and preparing for independence are all crucial elements in creating an environment where vulnerable children and adolescents can truly flourish. By sharing these insights, I hope the Local Builder London blog can help inform and inspire readers to advocate for similar transformative changes in their own communities.
