Centre News

There are lots of challenges and opportunities when supporting children and young people virtually.

This month, we partnered up with Safeguarding Children's Services to explore how you can best support safe social media use in out of home care organisations.

Today we also share the findings from our Intensive Therapeutic Care Pulse Check Survey, which asked workers, team leaders and managers involved with the Intensive Therapeutic Care (ITC) system in NSW to reflect on the success and challenges of the reform after the first two years of its implementation.

"I think it has changed the way people think and work with young people in a more positive way" (House Supervisor)

Below you will also find our latest blogs, publications and training offerings.

Latest Blogs 

How can you support safe social media use in out of home care organisations?

Jessica Carter & Kelly Royds

Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, TikTok, WeChat, Instagram – as common as these social media platforms and many others are, most of us are still learning the best ways to use (or not use) them, writes Jessica Carter and Kelly Royds. Read more

More than Just a Kid in Care

Tayla Howard

This NAIDOC week, I have spent some time listening to the new, 4-part podcast series called “More Than Just a Kid in Care”. Written, produced and edited by young people who have grown up in care in NSW, the first episode explores “identity” and the importance of connection to culture. Read more

Reflections on the Therapeutic Specialist Forum

Tayla Howard

Last month, 40 Therapeutic Specialists from a range of organisation’s gathered in Sydney for the annual Intensive Therapeutic Care (ITC) Therapeutic Specialist Forum. Across two days participants engaged in workshops; listened to speakers on key issues facing young people in care and collaborated with peers. Read more

'It happens to boys too': Child Sexual Exploitation

Noel MacNamara

Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the profile and awareness of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). Undoubtedly there is a benefit of increased awareness and understanding of the exploitation of children and young people, however, the narrative has remained overwhelmingly focused on female victims and male perpetrators. Read more

New Publications

NSW Intensive Therapeutic Care Pulse Check Survey 2020 Outcomes Report

Janise Mitchell, Kelly Royds, Noel MacNamara & Glenys Bristow

In late 2020, the CETC launched a survey to ‘take-the-pulse’ of how workers, team leaders and managers involved with the Intensive Therapeutic Care (ITC) system in NSW perceived the success and challenges of the reform after the first two years of its implementation. Read the results here. 

Responding to young people living in out of home care who engage in harmful sexual behaviour

Janise Mitchell, Joe Tucci, Cyra Fernandes & Daniel Howell

This practice guide aims to support carers and professionals working in and around the out of home care system to know how to best understand their role when responding to young people who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour with other children and young people.

Online Workshops

‘Shut off, sad, hurt & angry’: Behaviours that challenge in therapeutic residential care

WED 11 AUGUST, 10 to 12 PM (AEST)

This workshop is for therapeutic residential youth workers and their supervisors/managers or anyone working in out of home care or supporting young people in therapeutic residential care who have behaviours that challenge all of us. Register here

Empowering young people’s sexuality: An attachment-based understanding of harmful sexual behaviours and sexual exploitation in out-of-home care

TUE 21 September, 10 to 12PM (AEST)

Whilst there are several risk factors that can contribute to a young person engaging in harmful sexual behaviour‚ relational trauma and abuse are particular considerations for those in out of home care. Understanding the impact of trauma and the attachment needs of the young person is critical in empowering healthy sexual development. Register here

Self-Paced Online Training

Responding to Child Sexual Exploitation Online Training

8 Online Modules

Responding to Child Sexual Exploitation is an online self-paced training for caseworkers, residential workers, house supervisors and managers, therapeutic specialists and organisational leaders working in out of home care and therapeutic care. Access here

Foundational Training in Intensive Therapeutic Care

Ongoing -  12 Online Training Modules

The Foundational Training in Intensive Therapeutic Care is a training resource for all new workers in Intensive Therapeutic Care (ITC) in NSW. Access here

Joint Protocol Training Series

A series of training videos to support the implementation of the Joint Protocol to reduce the contact of young people in residential out of home care with the criminal justice system. Access here

Want to know more?

If you would like to find out more about the Centre or discuss how the Centre could support your work contact Kelly Royds on 0407 516 858 or on kroyds@childhood.org.au 

If you would like to discuss how the Centre can build your staff capacity through training and accredited courses contact Marina Dickson on 1300 381 581 or on mdickson@childhood.org.au

We want to hear from you!

We would love to hear any feedback how we are going and ideas on how we can better work together.