Released 25/07/2019
Premier Youthworks has today advised its staff that it will cease providing residential care services in the ACT as of 14 August 2019.
The ACT Government has a contract with Barnardos Australia to lead a consortium called ACT Together to provide stable placements for children and young people in out of home care that meet their therapeutic needs.
Premier Youthworks is sub-contracted by Barnardos to provide residential care services as part of the ACT Together consortium. Young people in residential care are case managed by Child and Youth Protection Services, Barnardos or OzChild.
Barnardos indicated to the ACT Government on 5 July 2019 that Premier Youthworks were considering withdrawing from the ACT Together consortium, this was formally announced today by Premier Youthworks.
Barnardos has assured the Community Services Directorate that, as the ACT Together consortium leader, it will ensure continuity of support for the 32 children and young people who are currently in residential care supported by Premier Youthworks.
In the medium term, another organisation will join the ACT Together consortium. In the meantime, Barnardos and the Community Services Directorate are working together to ensure young people are supported during the transition and their placement arrangements are stable.
The Minister for Children, Youth and Families Rachel Stephen-Smith said the safety, care and stability of arrangements for the affected children and young people is the ACT Government's highest priority:
"The Community Services Directorate is working closely with Barnardos and the ACT Together consortium to ensure the young people in residential care are well supported during this transition. Their safety, security and wellbeing is our number one priority.
"Young people in residential care have been informed of the changes and they know they can speak with their case manager if they have any questions.
"Case managers will be working with every young person and their care team to support their individual needs as ACT Together transitions to another organisation joining the consortium.
"The transition to another organisation with the ACT Together consortium presents an opportunity to build on the work done to date and to explore new opportunities to deliver targeted, therapeutic and trauma informed residential care.
"We are also very conscious of the impact of this announcement on Premier Youthworks' staff and I wish to reassure them that every effort will be made to retain current staff within the ACT Together consortium, should they wish to make this transition, so they can continue their trusted work with young people.
"Our strong preference is that young people in residential care continue to be supported by staff they already know. I have met a number of these staff and have always been impressed by their professionalism and commitment to supporting some of the most complex and vulnerable children and young people in our community.
"There are also other roles within the human services sector that residential care staff may be interested in and they will be supported to apply for these positions if that is their preference.
"The Community Services Directorate has experience in managing transitions in service provision for vulnerable people and I am confident that this work will be done with the best interests of young people and staff at the forefront."
- Statement ends -
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases
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