What is voluntary out-of-home care?
Usually, parents caring for children and young people with disabilities have additional demands for their time and resources. This added stress can have a profound effect on mental health and well-being. Parents may pursue out-of-home care for their children or child in severe circumstances.
A child or young person below the age of 18 is in out-of-home voluntary care when:
- Their parents have made an agreement with an agency such as Aussie Youth Care to provide them with VOOCH services or care for them.
- They stay overnight for one or more nights in a place other than their regular home.
- They would be cared for by someone other than a relative or parent.
Overnight center-based respite, host family care, residential placements and camps that offer respite or address demanding behaviour are part of voluntary out-of-home care.
Positive outcomes of out-of-home care for children and youth include but are not limited to:
- increased levels of respect for themselves and others,
- an improvement in independent living skills,
- reductions in challenging behaviours.
For parents/carers, there is a decrease in perceived burden and caring load, as well as better mental health and wellbeing for them and the child’s siblings.
Our long-term fully accredited care homes are not only designed to provide children with a safe and comfortable space, but also to give them a chance to learn responsibility and new skills.
Children are involved in decisions about any changes to their homes and activities and encouraged to participate to the daily tasks, to learn how to live independently. A wide range of activities are offered to them for fun and development.
Development is extremely important and dear to us. At Aussie Youth Care, we have designed a set of courses aiming to develop the personal and professional skills of the children and youth that come into our long-term as well as short-term VOOCH accommodation. Depending on the needs and preference of the person, these activities and courses may include trading skills such as cooking, gardening and IT courses, or a wide set of physical activities such as yoga, swimming and golf. The programs promote flexibility to allow residents to learn at their own pace, in an environment where they feel comfortable along with a sense of belonging.
We believe that every child has the potential to be great. Here are 10 inspirational people who grew up with disabilities and proved to the world that nothing could stop them.
If you are a parent or carer and would like to enroll your child into our voluntary out-of-home care (VOOCH) services, then please contact us today. Our caring NDIS service support team will be happy to help you.