Standards of Care

Standards of care inform children and young people, their families, carers and caseworkers, about the level of care a child or young person should expect to receive when they are placed in care. This is part of providing quality services to children and young people.

The standards state that children and young people in out of home care must be cared for in a way that ensures the following:

their dignity and rights are respected at all times
their needs for physical care are met, including adequate food, clothing and shelter
they will receive emotional care, which allows them to experience being liked, cared about and valued, all of which contribute to their positive self regard
they will be encouraged to maintain family and other significant personal relationships
their needs relating to their culture and ethnicity will be met
they will receive education, training or employment opportunities according to their age and ability
they will receive positive guidance when necessary to help them to change harmful or inappropriate behaviours. Techniques for the management of the child’s behaviour must not include corporal punishment or punishment that humiliates, frightens or threatens the child in a way that is likely to cause physical or emotional harm
they will receive dental, medical and therapeutic services necessary to meet their needs
they will be given the opportunity to participate in positive social and recreational activities appropriate to their developmental level and age.