Residential Care Workforce

Improving outcomes for young people transitioning from out-of-home care in Victoria

This interim report from Monash University examines transition planning for young people leaving OOHC in Victoria. Drawing on 80 interviews, 196 transition plans and reviews of scholarly and grey literature, it found planning is often inconsistent, task-focused and misaligned with young people’s developmental needs. Many felt excluded from decisions and unprepared for independence, with barriers including housing shortages, fragmented systems and limited cultural support. The report recommends youth-led, relational planning, improved workforce capability, culturally safe practices, clearer roles and responsibilities and stronger post-care supports to improve outcomes for care leavers.

Partnering Agreement Fact Sheet – Student Support Group Meetings

This fact sheet looks at what happens in a Student Support Group (SSG) meeting, who attends and what roles people have. It also answers questions, including whether students should attend SSGs, what carers might need to prepare and whether they can bring a support person.

Partnering Agreement Fact Sheet – Designated Teachers and Learning Mentors

This fact sheet describes the roles of Designated Teachers and Learning. It shares how carers can find out who the Designated Teacher and Learning Mentor is for their student, as well as outlining how they might work together to support the student’s education.

Partnering Agreement Fact Sheet – LOOKOUT and the Partnering Agreement

This fact sheet explores role of LOOKOUT in supporting students in care with education. It also explains the purpose of the Partnering Agreement, as well as expanding on the roles of everyone involved.

Partnering Agreement Fact Sheet – Individual Education Plans & Educational Needs Analysis

This fact sheet unpacks Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Educational Needs Analyses (ENAs). It summarises the steps involved in creating each, as well as the differences between them. It outlines how a carer can be involved and provides information on timing and following up missing plans.

Partnering Agreement Fact Sheet – Early Childhood Education and Care for Children in OOHC

This fact sheet outlines the importance of early childhood education and how to access services, as well as introducing the Early Childhood Agreement for children in out-of-home care.

Partnering Agreement Fact Sheet – FAQs for Koorie Carers

This fact sheet summarises the core elements of the Partnering Agreement and answers common questions in one document. It was put together by a Department of Education Koorie staff member and may be helpful for Koorie carers.

Directory of mental health services and resources to support children and young people

This sheet outlines key services and resources available to help professionals and carers support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. Use it to identify and access appropriate services, as well as to find resources to support best practice.

Trauma-informed youth justice case management: A policy audit and survey of staff perspectives

This policy audit and workforce survey from South Australia, published in Children Australia, examines the readiness of youth justice services to adopt trauma-informed case management. Analysing 28 policy documents and surveying 34 youth justice staff, the study found modest alignment between current policies and trauma-informed principles, despite strong practitioner support for approaches grounded in safety, trust, empowerment and cultural responsiveness. Staff identified gaps in policy and training, calling for strategic reform to embed trauma-informed practice across systems. The findings highlight the need for jurisdiction-wide planning to legitimise and operationalise trauma-informed care in youth justice.

Evaluation – participant information sheet

The department have engaged their internal evaluation unit, Evaluation and Insights (E&I) to lead an evaluation of the framework and its implementation through an 18-month action plan in place from March 2023 to September 2024.

Survey email template – decriminalisation

The department have engaged their internal evaluation unit, Evaluation and Insights (E&I) to lead an evaluation of the Framework to reduce criminalisation of young people in residential care (the framework) and its implementation through an 18-month action plan, in place from March 2023 to September 2024.

Worker Self-Care Template (RCLDS)

A template for leaders to utilise in promoting proactive self-care for staff wellbeing.