1

The Victorian Residential Care The Victorian Residential Care Learning and Development StrategyLearning and Development Strategy

Presentation Presentation

totoThe Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies The Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies

Conference 14 -16 August 2006Conference 14 -16 August 2006

Making a Difference through Making a Difference through Collaboration: Collaboration:

How Victoria Walks the TalkHow Victoria Walks the Talk

2

Overview of presentationOverview of presentation

Background Background What is the Residential Care Learning and What is the Residential Care Learning and

Development Strategy Development Strategy Achievements Achievements and outcomes and outcomes What we have learnt and how What we have learnt and how

creating positive futures for our children and creating positive futures for our children and young peopleyoung people

3

Who Are The Young People?Who Are The Young People?The young people are clients of Protective Services and The young people are clients of Protective Services and

ppresent with complex and multiple behaviours and resent with complex and multiple behaviours and emotional difficulties which may include:emotional difficulties which may include:

Extremely challenging behaviours at home, in Extremely challenging behaviours at home, in placement, school and community such as: placement, school and community such as:

Substance abuseSubstance abuse Suicidal tendenciesSuicidal tendencies Aggression Aggression Chronic running away, prostitution, association Chronic running away, prostitution, association

with paedophiles with paedophiles Emerging or diagnosed psychiatric or Emerging or diagnosed psychiatric or

psychological disorderspsychological disorders Constant escalating offendingConstant escalating offending Sexual offendingSexual offending

Estranged or non existent family, significant other, Estranged or non existent family, significant other, peer or community relationshipspeer or community relationships

Require long term care and substantial support.Require long term care and substantial support.

4

Children and young people in out of home care by age and placement type

As at 31 March 2005 (DHS 2005)

Age HBC Resi Care Total

0-4 896 7 903

5-11 1580 59 1639

12-14 762 105 867

15+ 755 175 930

TOTAL 3993 346 4339

5

What Is Residential Care?What Is Residential Care? Residential care is provided by rostered Residential care is provided by rostered

residential workers who are paid employees residential workers who are paid employees (variety of staffing & funding models).(variety of staffing & funding models).

Up to 4 young people usually aged 12 – 18 in a Up to 4 young people usually aged 12 – 18 in a house in the communityhouse in the community

Residential services are targeted primarily at Residential services are targeted primarily at high needs / high risk young people unable or high needs / high risk young people unable or unwilling to be placed in other less intensive unwilling to be placed in other less intensive models of out of home caremodels of out of home care

Units staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a yearUnits staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year Residential services are predominantly Residential services are predominantly

provided by community service organisationsprovided by community service organisations residential care should be the last option in the residential care should be the last option in the

continuum of out of home care.continuum of out of home care.

6

Attributes of Residential Care WorkersAttributes of Residential Care Workers Residential care workers need:Residential care workers need:

knowledge and skills to rebuild the whole of a young person’s life knowledge and skills to rebuild the whole of a young person’s life who has perhaps experienced 15 years of mistrust, abuse and / or who has perhaps experienced 15 years of mistrust, abuse and / or neglect – “we cannot change the young person’s behaviours neglect – “we cannot change the young person’s behaviours overnight!”overnight!”

Clarity, understanding and respect by other systems and services Clarity, understanding and respect by other systems and services about their specialised role and responsibilitiesabout their specialised role and responsibilities

passion, commitment, life experience, common sense, sense of passion, commitment, life experience, common sense, sense of humour, the ability to manage complex individual and group humour, the ability to manage complex individual and group behaviours; behaviours;

the ability to nurture, have fun and celebrate and create positive the ability to nurture, have fun and celebrate and create positive life long memories for these hurt, damaged and angry young life long memories for these hurt, damaged and angry young people.people.

the strength & commitment “to never, ever give up on a young the strength & commitment “to never, ever give up on a young person and their family – no matter what!”person and their family – no matter what!”

““Whatever workers, managers and organisations do for young Whatever workers, managers and organisations do for young people and their families, they need to do for each other – or people and their families, they need to do for each other – or they will not survive”they will not survive”

Relevant knowledge, skills, experience, collegiate and Relevant knowledge, skills, experience, collegiate and community support, supervision and training are paramount community support, supervision and training are paramount to successful outcomes for all involved.to successful outcomes for all involved.

7

Workforce IssuesWorkforce Issues Research identified significant risk and Research identified significant risk and

occupational health and safety issues occupational health and safety issues Implementation of minimum standards for Implementation of minimum standards for

residential careresidential care Increasing complexity of young people’s Increasing complexity of young people’s

behaviours requires individualised behaviours requires individualised responsesresponses

Recruitment & retention of experienced and Recruitment & retention of experienced and committed workforcecommitted workforce

Developing a supportive learning culture for Developing a supportive learning culture for worker development & supportworker development & support

Relevant training that assists industry in Relevant training that assists industry in preparing workers for this intensive workpreparing workers for this intensive work

Succession planning – ageing workforceSuccession planning – ageing workforce Need to recruit mature age workersNeed to recruit mature age workers

8

Why A Learning & Development Strategy?Why A Learning & Development Strategy?

Historically Historically

Acknowledgement of the need for a Acknowledgement of the need for a training strategy for this highly training strategy for this highly specialised field specialised field

Need for dedicated funding for Need for dedicated funding for cross sector training cross sector training

No specific qualification for No specific qualification for residential care workers. residential care workers.

9

Why A Learning & Development Strategy?Why A Learning & Development Strategy?

Dissatisfaction from the field in respect to Dissatisfaction from the field in respect to available generic training/qualifications ability available generic training/qualifications ability to appropriately train residential care staff:to appropriately train residential care staff: Lack of focus on younger childrenLack of focus on younger children,, on managing on managing

challenging adolescents in a community based challenging adolescents in a community based residential contextresidential context

Lack of competencies for the range of out of home Lack of competencies for the range of out of home care settings andcare settings and

An over emphasis on common competencies from An over emphasis on common competencies from marginally related occupationsmarginally related occupations

Recognition that focus has been on Recognition that focus has been on developing individual skills and organisational developing individual skills and organisational learning strategies – now moving to develop learning strategies – now moving to develop learning sector where organisations share and learning sector where organisations share and support each others learningsupport each others learning..

10

Key AimKey Aim

The development of a competent The development of a competent and appropriately trained residential and appropriately trained residential care workforce that is supported to care workforce that is supported to provide a high standard of care and provide a high standard of care and to improve outcomes and life to improve outcomes and life opportunities for children and young opportunities for children and young people in out of home care.people in out of home care.

11

GoalsGoals

The development & maintenance of a skilled The development & maintenance of a skilled and stable workforceand stable workforce

Provision of high quality training, Provision of high quality training, supervision and support to workerssupervision and support to workers

Development of appropriate pre-service and Development of appropriate pre-service and in-service qualifications relevant to the fieldin-service qualifications relevant to the field

Commitment to and development of a Commitment to and development of a lifelong learning culture in the workplacelifelong learning culture in the workplace

12

Funding OverviewFunding Overview

In the 2001/2002 Victorian State Budget, $7.5 million of In the 2001/2002 Victorian State Budget, $7.5 million of additional resources was allocated to improve residential additional resources was allocated to improve residential care services for children & young people placed in out of care services for children & young people placed in out of home care.home care.

From this 1.5% ($430,000) recurrent funding (now indexed From this 1.5% ($430,000) recurrent funding (now indexed to over $450, 000) was set aside to develop a training to over $450, 000) was set aside to develop a training strategy to strengthen residential care services in strategy to strengthen residential care services in recognition of the link between staff competency and client recognition of the link between staff competency and client outcomes.outcomes.

Unexpended resources are carried forwardUnexpended resources are carried forward Management of strategy moved to Centre for Excellence for Management of strategy moved to Centre for Excellence for

Child and Family Welfare in 2005Child and Family Welfare in 2005 employed of full time senior project officer to support employed of full time senior project officer to support

strategystrategy

13

Learning And Development Strategy Learning And Development Strategy Reference Group Current MembershipReference Group Current Membership

The Centre for Excellence in Child & Family The Centre for Excellence in Child & Family WelfareWelfare

Berry Street VictoriaBerry Street Victoria Menzies IncMenzies Inc The Salvation Army WestcareThe Salvation Army Westcare Anglicare VictoriaAnglicare Victoria MacKillop Family ServicesMacKillop Family Services Berry Street VictoriaBerry Street Victoria Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency

(VACCA)(VACCA) Department of Human Services: Office for Department of Human Services: Office for

Children, Child Protection and Family Support Children, Child Protection and Family Support & regional representatives.& regional representatives.

14

TRAINING PLAN PRIORITIESTRAINING PLAN PRIORITIES

RC Process for non-qualified staff based on

CS&H ITB Model

Identify and accredit

appropriate pre and in service qualification

Assessment & Workplace

Training to CSOs: 60 staff trained, TAA04 course

planned

Develop learning

materials for core CSTP modules

(Orientation and Legal and Ethical

Framework completed 2005)

Map LAC to competencies and RCC staff

involved in using LAC

Support Deliverly of LAC Training

Priority training to meet gaps in

Cert IV (Prot Care)

Scholarships for Cert IV(Prot Care)

Ongoing

Completed

Not commenced

Currently being developed

Scholarship scheme for

qualified staff

15

The Journey So Far - AchievementsThe Journey So Far - Achievements Developed competency profiles for residential Developed competency profiles for residential

care workers, supervisors & caregivers in Victoriacare workers, supervisors & caregivers in Victoria

Input into 2002 national review of the Community Input into 2002 national review of the Community Services Training Package (CSTP) to meet Services Training Package (CSTP) to meet requirements of Victorian workforce - new requirements of Victorian workforce - new qualification relevant to out of home care – qualification relevant to out of home care – residential care workers and care givers – residential care workers and care givers – Certificate IV in Community Services (Protective Certificate IV in Community Services (Protective Care)Care)

Significant numbers of staff have engaged in the Significant numbers of staff have engaged in the Cert IV in Community Services (Protective Care) Cert IV in Community Services (Protective Care) – over 240 enrolments– over 240 enrolments

16

AchievementsAchievements

Development of a common framework for Development of a common framework for learninglearning

Creation of a sector wide learning cultureCreation of a sector wide learning culture Annual RCLDS training forumAnnual RCLDS training forum Practice forum in 2006 with 150 workersPractice forum in 2006 with 150 workers Learning needs analysisLearning needs analysis 3 year training plan 3 year training plan Customised training in identified priority areasCustomised training in identified priority areas Training delivered to high percentage of workers Training delivered to high percentage of workers accessible locationsaccessible locations motivationalmotivational

17

Achievements –Achievements –TAFE/DHS/RTO NetworkTAFE/DHS/RTO Network

Collaborative network of providers of Cert IV Community Collaborative network of providers of Cert IV Community Services (Prot Care), industry and DHS representativesServices (Prot Care), industry and DHS representatives

Promotes links between residential care and training Promotes links between residential care and training providers providers

Supports teacher network across private RTOs and TAFES Supports teacher network across private RTOs and TAFES for this qualification to develop a common learning and for this qualification to develop a common learning and assessment framework assessment framework

Ensures delivery of preferred packaging for VictoriaEnsures delivery of preferred packaging for Victoria Develops and shares resources to support professional Develops and shares resources to support professional

development of trainersdevelopment of trainers All trainers offered PD in LAC, RCC, Effective Conflict All trainers offered PD in LAC, RCC, Effective Conflict

Management, Supervision SkillsManagement, Supervision Skills Supports field placements and sessional teachersSupports field placements and sessional teachers Identifies and addresses emerging and ongoing issues in Identifies and addresses emerging and ongoing issues in

training for residential caretraining for residential care

18

AchievementsAchievementsLearning materials developmentLearning materials development

Two competencies for Cert IV in Community Services (Prot Two competencies for Cert IV in Community Services (Prot Care)Care)

Orientation to protective services and out of home care for children Orientation to protective services and out of home care for children and young people (CHCCHILD5A)and young people (CHCCHILD5A)

Work within a legal and ethical framework (CHCCS301A) Work within a legal and ethical framework (CHCCS301A)

Training customised to Vic Out of Home Care Sector Training customised to Vic Out of Home Care Sector (Resi, home based care, kinship care and Aboriginal (Resi, home based care, kinship care and Aboriginal care)care)

Materials provided to every CSO and RTO/TAFE in stateMaterials provided to every CSO and RTO/TAFE in state EOI for further 6 core competencies released in 2006, EOI for further 6 core competencies released in 2006,

specialist unit in working with Aboriginal clientsspecialist unit in working with Aboriginal clients

19

What have we learntWhat have we learnt

Importance of Importance of long term planninglong term planning having shared vision and commitmenthaving shared vision and commitment

Need to meet needs of diverse organisations Need to meet needs of diverse organisations (size, complexity, culture, values, stages of (size, complexity, culture, values, stages of organisational development )organisational development )

Need to consult with both organisations and staff Need to consult with both organisations and staff at service delivery level at service delivery level

Building sector wide learning culture is criticalBuilding sector wide learning culture is critical Critical to develop training that is relevant and Critical to develop training that is relevant and

customised to the fieldcustomised to the field With consistent effort and input we can change the With consistent effort and input we can change the

systemsystem

20

Future PlansFuture Plans

Complete training resources for Cert IV in Complete training resources for Cert IV in Community Services (Prot Care)Community Services (Prot Care)

Further development of a rural training strategyFurther development of a rural training strategy Expanded training in priority areasExpanded training in priority areas Support RCC processes and gap trainingSupport RCC processes and gap training Work with TAFES and RTOs to further improve Work with TAFES and RTOs to further improve

quality and relevance of training to the sectorquality and relevance of training to the sector Input as sector into review of CSTPInput as sector into review of CSTP Develop higher education scholarship schemeDevelop higher education scholarship scheme Support ($) Resi workers participation in trainingSupport ($) Resi workers participation in training Evaluation of training undertaken and impact of Evaluation of training undertaken and impact of

strategy to date to commence in 2006strategy to date to commence in 2006 Establishment of further three year training planEstablishment of further three year training plan

21

We have made a difference by:We have made a difference by: Improving outcomes for children and young people by Improving outcomes for children and young people by

promoting consistent messagespromoting consistent messages Collaborating as equal partners - consistentlyCollaborating as equal partners - consistently Facilitating communication across the sectorFacilitating communication across the sector Developing a common understanding of training and Developing a common understanding of training and

learning needslearning needs Enabling improved consistency and quality of trainingEnabling improved consistency and quality of training Moving beyond the learning organisation to a learning Moving beyond the learning organisation to a learning

sectorsector Organising our successful first statwide forum for residential Organising our successful first statwide forum for residential

workers “More than just a roof over their heads”workers “More than just a roof over their heads” Incorporating young consultants from CREATE into resi Incorporating young consultants from CREATE into resi

training as equal partners.training as equal partners. Listening to the voices of resi workers, making it more Listening to the voices of resi workers, making it more

possible to listen to the voices of children!possible to listen to the voices of children!

Creating positive futures for Creating positive futures for children in out of home carechildren in out of home care

23

Contact Details For Further InformationContact Details For Further InformationCentre for Excellence in Child & Family Welfare - Centre for Excellence in Child & Family Welfare - Michael White - 03 96141577 Michael White - 03 96141577 www.cwav.asn.auwww.cwav.asn.au michael.white@cwav.asn.aumichael.white@cwav.asn.au

DHS - Edith Loch - 03 9616 8097 DHS - Edith Loch - 03 9616 8097 edith.loch@dhs.vic.gov.auedith.loch@dhs.vic.gov.au

Salvation Army Westcare - Glenys Bristow Salvation Army Westcare - Glenys Bristow

(03) 9312 3544 (03) 9312 3544 Glenys_Bristow@aus.salvationarmy.orgGlenys_Bristow@aus.salvationarmy.org

Menzies Inc - Maree Baird (03) 9784-9700 Menzies Inc - Maree Baird (03) 9784-9700 coordinator@menzies.org.aucoordinator@menzies.org.au

24

THANK YOUTHANK YOU

We thank you for taking the time to share We thank you for taking the time to share our journey and sincerely hope you our journey and sincerely hope you

enjoy this conferenceenjoy this conference..