The Supported Residential Care (SRC) Program Services provide the following for all children and young people placed within the program:

• A safe and supportive, short to long-term placement based on the therapeutic support service that meets the immediate needs of the child/young person.
• Works in partnership with the Dept for Child Protection statutory case manager and other stakeholders to plan for the transition of the child/young person to a longer term placement.

The program is based on a therapeutic care framework with emphasis on providing opportunities for learning and growth. Staff work across a 24/7 roster to provide a safe, secure and home like environment.

How does it work?

The SRC Program Services provide the following for all children and young people placed within the program:

• A safe and supportive, short to long-term placement based on the therapeutic support service that meets the immediate needs of the child/young person
• Works in partnership with the Dept for Child Protection statutory case manager and other stakeholders to plan for the transition of the child/young person to a longer term placement
• Operate within agreed practices and procedures that reflect the South Australian Alternative Care Program Standards and that follow the direction of DECD, Department for Child Protection Placement Services Unit, Dept for Child Protection and Crisis Response Unit
• Deliver a short to long-term placement service that includes facilitation and planning for referral, review and transition of the child/young person
• Maintain effective interagency communication throughout the placement including promoting two way communications via the Dept for Child Protection case manager and SRC
• Maintain effective interagency communication with other Government and Non-Government alternative care service providers when transition plans and exit points have been established.

Who can access this service?

The SRC Program is funded to provide a service to a specific client group. All children and young people who are placed within the program MUST be under the care of the Minister. These children and young people need to be:

• Referred to the service by the Matching and Assessment Team through Department for Child Protection Placement Services Unit (PSU)
• Up to the age of 18 years
• Not able to gain immediate access to all other placement options

The types of authorities that young people are placed under include;

• Guardianship to 18 years Orders
• 12 month Guardianship Orders
• 12 month Custody Orders
• Voluntary Custody Agreements
• Parental Authorities

For the Children/Young People:

• Ensure the immediate needs of the child/young person across the life domains are planned for and delivered
• Develop a short to long-term Transition & Support Plan that ensures children/young people are supported into a routine smoothly and quickly and that planning for the longer term placement begins immediately
• Provide a caring and respectful environment that is appropriate to the nature of the placement and the developmental ages of the children/young people

What are the benefits of the service?

During their stay at the home, children and young people will have a short-term Support Plan developed that responds to each child/young person’s needs in the 10 life domains:

• General Health Care
• Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health
• Self-Care & Living Skills
• Transition to Plan
• Behaviour Management Strategies
• Education & Programs
• Social Peers & Relationships
• Culture & Identity
• Family connections/access
• Sport & Recreational Interests