As Anglicare Victoria (AV) has evolved, we have focused on using evidence to deliver the highest standard of care to vulnerable children, young people and families.

Investing in tools that validate, measure, and assess outcomes has allowed AV to innovate and adapt care to ensure the best possible outcomes for our clients. At the same time, we have listened carefully to their lived experiences to better inform our practice.

In 2013, AV developed Residential Care Pillars of Practice. This framework sets out program practice standards to ensure children and young people in residential care are receiving the best possible care. AV’s Residential Care Professional Practice Forum brings the leadership of AV together to review consistency in practice, gaps in service and opportunities for improvement.

AV is always open to developing new approaches to respond effectively to the often-complex needs of clients. “Skilling our staff and equipping them in an effective way has been part of our development,” says AV’s Director of Operations, Marianne Watson. “It’s really how we produce the best outcomes for our clients.”

Life-changing new model of care

Care Hub is a new model of care that is providing short-term, intensive support to help reunify families. Currently in its trial phase, Care Hub is funded by DFFH and implemented by a range of providers led by AV.

Care Hub targets first time entrants to care and sibling groups and integrates Out-of-Home Care and Family Services.

The model offers a suite of flexible services including placement services, mental health services, key workers and therapeutic clinicians for adults and young people. The model aims to get young people in placements safely back into their family homes within a six-week timeframe and provides up to 12 weeks additional outreach support. The Care Hub trial has delivered excellent rates of success and, importantly, received outstanding feedback from clients.

“I wanted to work on what my family needs. Care Hub gave me the control of the plan so I could focus on what I wanted first, not them telling me ‘this is what we are doing’”. – James*, Father and Care Hub participant, whose daughter Emily* entered a Care Hub home-based placement because she had experienced an unstable home environment and had complex mental health needs.