Shared care practice in voluntary out of home
disability placements
Presenters: Wendy Fraser, Lee-Anne Gassner
ACWA 14 Conference
Hard to Place Children and Young People
Proportion of OOHC
Emergency Care
Stabilisation and Transition
Stabilisation and Supported Independent Living
Disability Group Home
Disability Respite
Shared Care
Method: Information presented in this paper is elicited
from:
a) Individual case studies;
b) Interviews with families involved in care arrangements
and
c) Review of approaches to care for each client.

Context
Key findings:
Children with disability are over-represented in the child protection system.
While families may experience positive outcomes after relinquishment has
occurred; feelings of guilt and mourning were initially felt.
Resent research has shown that a poor relationship between families and
service providers often features in relinquishment.
Practice methodologies need to be developed which keep families engaged
and support them to rebuild after relinquishment.
Risk Factors
Family Context
Individual Context

Stress and isolation

High behavioural support needs


Adolescence or approaching adolescence

Carer exhaustion (may include sleep
disturbance and hyper vigilance)
Safety concerns

Becoming physically stronger

Impact on siblings

Family breakdown

Single parent carers being overwhelmed by
support needs
Adapted from Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (2012) Desperate Measures. The relinquishment of
children with disability into state care in Victoria, Human Rights Commission Victoria, p9.
Wilbur’s Story
This was sent to team, family and his service coordinator.
General S
S
Shift Report:
PM: Wilbur was in the garden at the beginning of shift and after coming inside has cooked his dinner, played with his train track and been on
the internet. Wilbur has cooked his dinner and snacks himself tonight between 18:30 and 20:30 and has interacted well with carer and put
DVD on for her. Wilbur packed away some of his k-nex in the family room before going to bed. Wilbur fed the guinea pigs and then settled
them for the night.
School/Day Activities/Work:
N/A
Outings & Activities:
PM: Gardening about 30 minutes.
Sleeping:
Wilbur went to his room at 22:30. Lights appeared out at 22:45.
Eating:
Dinner: Ravioli with cheese.
Snacks: 2 Apple pies, cereal.
Fluids: Water from his blue water bottle. 1 x diluted apple juice.
Behaviour:
PM: Wilbur has been in a good mood, very chatty and interacting well with carer tonight.
Emergent Themes – Case Studies and Interviews
Honesty
Listening &
Supporting
Carers
Flexibility
Guilt &
Grief
Importance
of Team