Implementation of the Sanctuary model across DCP Residential Care commenced in February 2021 with MacKillop Family Services training the Sanctuary Core Team (SCT) and leadership members. The evidence-based Sanctuary model is founded in the trauma-informed care principles that are central to our work.
Four Sanctuary Practitioners including a dedicated Aboriginal Sanctuary Practitioner will work with the core team to implement the model and provide practice support. Critically, the first action of the SCT was to add Culture as one of the DCP Eight Sanctuary Commitments to prioritise cultural safety for Aboriginal children, young people and staff. Collaboration with children and young people has also led to key improvements to support child-friendly terminology.
Two day training for DCP Residential Care staff commenced in March and an overview of the Sanctuary model was presented virtually to DCP Case Managers, Residential Care staff and Child and Family Focus SA (CAFFSA) members in June. By 17 September over 350 new and existing staff have been trained in the model.
The Sanctuary team has developed specific tools and resources to support the implementation including a Sanctuary action plan, Trauma Journey profile and a Restrictive Practice training module.
DCP has collaborated with Monash University to ensure the implementation of Sanctuary is practice-based, outcomes focused and accountable to formal external evaluation standards.