As part of the Safer Children, Safer Communities election commitment the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety are leading some focus sessions on the implementation of the dual carer worker model in Residential Care.

To assist the department in these focus session PeakCare is hosting three session for Residential Care Organisations to attend to provide their input and feedback on the implementation of the dual carer model.

The focus groups will look at the current delivery of dual carer and what additional considerations may need to be considered to implement dual carer to 100% by 2030.

Key purpose of these focus groups:

Seek to understand current key issues and change opportunities including advice to chart a pathway forward for the dual carer staffing model
Gain nuanced insight into the current ways of working to inform the future model
Explore opportunities to partner with residential care providers on the implementation of the dual carer model

Partnership with residential care providers on the implementation of the dual carer model

Establish a principled approach to implementation of a dual carer model which may include:
- a needs based, clinical approach
- focussing on cohorts of children and young people most in need (e.g., under 12s in residential care, children and adolescents with a disability, sibling groups)
- ensuring dual care is in the best interest of the child or young person and aims to deliver enhanced support and safety

The current Government targets for implementation are:

25% by the end of this year
40% by the end of 2026
65% by 2027
100% by 2030