Residential services

Residential care is similar to foster care but provides more intensive support specifically to young people aged 12 to 18.

Young people in care live with small groups in houses situated throughout Melbourne that are staffed by Anglicare Victoria youth workers 24 hours a day.

Residential care is targeted towards young people who are ‘at risk’ or demonstrating behavioural problems such as persistent running away, self-harm, and/or substance abuse.

Living in a home staffed by qualified youth workers means young people can get support with personal and family issues, can receive counselling for anger management or substance abuse and can get help finding the right path through school and job training.

Young people in residential care eventually return home or are helped to move into longer-term accommodation or independent living.