Child Care

Youth Care UPA

Youth Care UPA, is an out-of-home care (OoHC) service for children and young persons which commenced in 1997 following the closure of Sunnylands Childrens Home.

Youth Care UPA is situated on the North Coast of NSW and is funded by the NSW Department of Community Services (DoCS). Youth Care UPA provides accommodation, casework and 24 hour, high intensity supervision for children and young persons, placed in foster care, with the age range being from zero to seventeen years and is currently staffed by a full time Program Manager and two part-time caseworkers.

Children and young persons referred to the Youth Care UPA OoHC program by DoCS are under a Children’s Court Order (Parental Responsibility Order).

Youth Care UPA’s base funding is for 9 clients, and recently has expanded to provide additional places to meet demand.

Youth Care UPA’s policy is to place children and young persons in situations which best suit the individual children and young persons. These placements may include carer families, accommodation with live-in carers, community based care, boarding schools and independent supported living arrangements.

Children and young persons are referred to Youth Care UPA by the local Community Services Centres in Ballina, Lismore or Tweed Heads. They are usually assessed as needing medium to long term care with high intensity support and supervision. Placements are mainly determined by the location and availability of carers who are able to meet the children and young person’s identified needs at that time.

Youth Care UPA provides care to children and young persons by placing them with committed and supportive authorised carers. Our carers are recruited, trained and supported in a manner which is consistent with the identified needs of the child or young person. The care provided by Youth Care UPA authorised carers meet the physical, emotional, psychological, cultural, social and spiritual needs of children and young persons.

We offer medium to long term care. Our aim is either restoration to the natural family, independent living, or other appropriate arrangements.