The Department for Child Protection is working with service providers to explore new short-term residential care options for vulnerable children and young people.
The residential care arrangements will be used when children and young people need to enter care at short notice for a period of stabilisation and for a limited time. The change aligns with the department’s broader reform agenda, including a commitment to reduce the number of children and young people in commercial care and place children according to their individual needs.
One of the options being considered is establishing a provider panel to deliver individualised, immediate placements for children and young people when no other appropriate option is available.
To progress this initiative, service providers are invited to attend a sector event about potential procurement options on Thursday 26 September 2019.