Out of Home Care provides living options for children and young people, aged between 12 and 18 who are not able to live with their own families. Currently there is capacity for full time care of 32 children and young people and opportunities for respite (very short term) care for a few others. The types of care provided include both foster care and residential care. All clients of this service are referred to us by the Department of Community Services, and Centacare works with the Department as well as families where possible, to enable the children and young people to reach their goals and move forward with their lives. Many supports around health, education, living skills and community involvement are put in place to assist with the personal growth and development that has been interrupted due to a variety of issues.
The programs run in the Metro Central and Hunter/Central Coast Regions and are staffed by a Senior Manager, Service Coordinator, five coordinators and close to fifty residential care workers and caseworkers.
In the past two years the service has more than doubled in size and further growth is anticipated.