The Department for Child Protection’s MyPlace program works with staff and individual young people in residential care to create more nurturing and enriching environments within their homes.
It is part of the department’s commitment to embed more therapeutic approaches in residential care, which includes rolling-out the Sanctuary Model in all DCP-run homes.
One of the project’s key objectives is to listen to young people’s voices, opinions and preferences, and to support their participation in decisions about their home.
“We fully engage the young person in the MyPlace process, and it can be a great bonding opportunity to build a strong connection between the young person and their carers,” said Stephen Green, Director Residential Care.
“When we first start talking to a young person they often have requests that range from a swimming pool or a pony down to a simple feature wall, a bean bag or a veggie garden.
“We then work with them to come up with a plan that will help them feel at home and also help them to cope when they are feeling emotionally vulnerable.”
The program also has a focus on helping young people create environments that reflect and support their connection to culture.
The department has established a dedicated role to focus on the MyPlace program across all the department’s residential care homes.
Case study – Minecraft haven
The MyPlace program recently created a sensory haven for a young person in residential care using their favourite game as a foundation.
“The young person opted for a Minecraft theme, which was a favourite game of his, and our residential care staff went to a lot of effort to make it look great with the young person’s input,” Stephen said.
The young person was heavily involved in the design, layout and furnishing choices, which was an important part of the overall process.
“The young people in the home worked together to design and hand-make some of the elements, such as the felt Minecraft characters on the walls.
“The young person also helped to assemble some of the bedroom furniture, which focused on one of his strengths.”
The room was filled with tactile stimuli like a fidget spinner, toys, an organ and a bean bag. The aim was to create a safe, low-stress space for the young person to work through their emotions and reactions.
“No two young people are the same and so it is important to take time to understand what the young person needs from their physical environment, and what would help them to feel like they ‘own’ their personal space within their homes.”