Strengthening relationships and connections for young people in therapeutic residential care

Tuesday 23 September 2025, 12:00pm-1:00pm AEST, online via Ms Teams

Hosted by Family and Community Services Insights, Analysis and Research (FACSIAR)

Details

In recent years, a range of therapeutic residential care models have been introduced across Australia’s states and territories to support young people whose complex needs cannot be met in home-based care settings. While therapeutic residential care aims to provide a healing environment for these young people, there remains a significant gap in research around the specific day-to-day practices – both within the care setting and in the broader community – that influence the formation of meaningful relationships. Understanding which practices foster connection and which may inadvertently contribute to isolation and fractured trust is critical to improving outcomes in therapeutic residential care.

In this FACSIAR Lunch and Learn webinar, Professor Lynne McPherson, Dr Kylie Day and Dr Antonia Canosa from the Centre for Children and Young People at Southern Cross University will present findings from the ‘Strengthening Relationships and Connections for Young People in therapeutic residential care’ research project. The research, conducted in collaboration with young people aged 12–18 years, reveals the critical role of recognitional practices – being listened to, respected, and genuinely cared about – in fostering safety and wellbeing. The seminar will delve into the voices of young people who shared their stories through interviews and a survey, offering powerful insights into what works, what doesn’t, and what needs to change in therapeutic residential care settings.

This research was funded by the Australian Research Council and the Australian Childhood Foundation, and in partnership with colleagues at the Australian Catholic University, Charles Sturt University and Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.

Following the presentations, we will have an update on the policy and practice implications for residential care by Catherine Dobbins, Director - residential out-of-home care from the Department of Communities and Justice.

The webinar will be chaired by Dr Jessica Stewart, Executive Director, FACSIAR, Department of Communities and Justice

Join us to learn more about:

Strengthening relationships and connections for young people in therapeutic residential care

Presentations from:

Professor Lynne McPherson - Chair, Out of Home Care Research, A/Director, Centre for Children and Young People, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University
Dr Antonia Canosa - Research Fellow, Centre for Children and Young People, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University
Dr Kylie Day – Senior Lecturer, Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples and Centre for Children and Young People, Southern Cross University
Catherine Dobbins - Director Residential out-of-home care, Child and Family, System Reform, DCJ

Questions or comments?

Contact: ResearchPartnerships@dcj.nsw.gov.au