1. Shared care practice in voluntary out of home disability placements Presenters: Wendy Fraser, Lee-Anne Gassner ACWA 14 Conference

2. Hard to Place Children and Young People

3. 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.

4.  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.

5. Family ContextIndividual Context  Stress and isolation  High behavioural support needs  Carer exhaustion (may include sleep disturbance and hyper vigilance)  Adolescence or approaching adolescence  Safety concerns  Becoming physically stronger  Impact on siblings  Family breakdown  Single parent carers being overwhelmed by support needs Risk Factors 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.

6. Wilbur’s Story

7. 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..

8. Honesty Guilt & Grief Importance of Team Flexibility Listening & Supporting Carers Emergent Themes – Case Studies and Interviews