The ACT Government has engaged MacKillop Family Services to deliver therapeutic residential care services in the ACT.
Minister for Families and Community Services Rachel Stephen-Smith said MacKillop Family Services has years of experience in providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people living in residential care.
“We know that children and young people who live in residential care have experienced incredible challenges and trauma. To support these children and young people to process their trauma and develop into healthy and happy adults, it is important they have a safe, supportive and therapeutic environment.
“MacKillop shares the ACT Government’s goal of delivering services that are culturally safe, trauma informed, person centred and empower children and young people to reach their full potential. The Sanctuary model employed by MacKillop reflects evidence-based best practice in the delivery of therapeutic residential care.
“The commencement of the new service delivers on a priority initiative under the ACT’s Next Steps for Our Kids strategy and the ACT Government’s commitment to strengthen therapeutic residential care and models of support for young people with significant trauma behaviours,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
MacKillop Family Services has worked closely and collaboratively with the outgoing provider Barnardos Australia to ensure a smooth transition and minimise disruption for young people and the staff who support them.
Following the withdrawal of Premier Youthworks from the ACT Together consortium in 2019, Barnardos Australia, as the consortium lead, retained the delivery of support and services for children and young people living in residential care. Barnardos will continue to offer foster care, kinship care, permanency services, support for care leavers 18-25 years and therapeutic support.
The ACT Government has invested an additional $64 million over four years for the delivery of the new therapeutic residential care service, and the Community Services Directorate is now working through the next stage of commissioning for the remaining out of home care services in 2023-24.
“The ACT Government is committed to investing in services and programs to support children and young people to grow up safe, strong and connected,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
Quote attributable to Robyn Miller, CEO of McKillop Family Services:
“We are excited to be expanding our residential care program in the ACT and look forward to working collaboratively with the ACT Government, schools and the Territory community services sector.
“MacKillop is committed to providing trauma-informed and therapeutic care. Our trauma-informed approach is driven by the Sanctuary model, which supports staff to create a culture that prioritises safety and wellbeing. We’re passionate about the rights of each young person and their connection to family, culture and education. Their future depends on the quality of care we provide in their precious early years of life.”
