Sally builds meaningful connections

December 12, 2024

Last year marked a significant and heart-warming chapter in our Intensive Therapeutic Care (ITC) team as we welcomed Sally into our care. Sally’s story is one that reflects the transformative power of support and connection, especially for young people who have faced the challenges of long-term foster care. Her arrival brought both hope and hurdles, as transitions like these can be incredibly daunting for young individuals.

Sally’s initial adjustment to life in our group home was not without its difficulties. She had to navigate a new environment, unfamiliar faces among fellow residents, and the presence of Youth Workers who were there to support her. However, our dedicated care team embarked on a mission to make Sally feel welcome, valued and understood and recognised the importance of building meaningful connections as a cornerstone of their work.

One of the pivotal moments in Sally’s journey was the effort made by the care team to reach out to her family. Understanding the importance of family ties to a young person’s life and identity, our case management team worked determinedly to reunite Sally with her loved ones. It was an emotionally charged endeavour, particularly given that Sally hadn’t seen her father in many years. The team’s commitment paid off when, after a relatively short period with CatholicCare, Sally had the opportunity to meet her father face-to-face.

This reunion was not a mere isolated event – it opened doors to an even more profound transformation in Sally’s life when she embarked on an interstate trip to reconnect with her father and other extended family members. This experience not only provided her with a chance to rekindle bonds but also introduced her to an entire family she had never known existed. The regular, supported contact that followed has allowed Sally and her newfound family to build the kind of closeness that promises to endure well into the future.

* Please note the name and photo have been changed to protect the identity of the young person in care

Residential care services are provided for children and young people aged between 12 and 18 years, many of whom are the most vulnerable, having experienced extreme trauma and an absence of care and love.

The Department of Communities & Justice provides funding to CatholicCare, under the Permanency Support Program, to establish residential homes and care teams across the Diocese. We have a number of homes across Northern Sydney and the Central Coast which are carefully chosen and established to be close to schools and other amenities the young people will need as they journey towards independence. CatholicCare provides a team of experts to support each individual young person – Youth Workers, Case Workers and Therapeutic Specialists.

The program for each child is tailored to meet their therapeutic needs and developmental stage, recognising that the trauma they have experienced can affect their cognitive, emotional and social functioning. Assessments are carried out with therapeutic specialists, and individualised therapeutic interventions are co-ordinated by the child’s key worker, drawing on the multi-disciplinary skills within CatholicCare, other agencies, community and cultural groups. The young person’s progress is monitored and supported through CatholicCare’s guided practice case management systems. The therapeutic care team reviews and adjusts activities on a regular basis to flexibly meet the needs of each young person. A particular area of focus is supporting the young person to develop the skills, knowledge and networks they need to move to independence when they leave care.

For more information:
P: (02) 9481 2600
E: info@catholiccaredbb.org.au