Practice
Framework
for Out of
Home Care.
About Us
Possability (formerly Optia) is a not-for-profit
organisation with more than 25 years’ experience
in disability services. In 2013, we began providing
Out of Home Care in North West Tasmania. In
2015, in response to the Tasmanian Government’s
Out of Home Care reforms, we extended our
services across the state.
We work with children who have needs such that
they cannot be cared for by foster families. We
provide a nurturing and secure environment,
with specialist support to meet their individual
needs.
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www.possability.com.au
www.possability.com.au
Possability Practice Framework for Out of Home Care
About the Practice Framework...................4
Practice Framework.....................................5
Purpose, Vision and Values..........................6
Practice: Approaches and Actions...............8
Research and Evidence................................12
Outcomes.....................................................12
Case Study: How does our Practice
Framework work for Toby?.........................13
Useful Resources..........................................15
Possability Practice Framework for Out of Home Care
3
About the Practice
Framework?
The Practice Framework for
Out of Home Care is designed
to be a best-practice guide for
Possability staff, grounded in
core organisational values,
legislation and evidence-based
research.
The Practice Framework reflects recent Out of Home Care
reforms in Australia and focuses on high quality, person-centred
service provision.
In accordance with the National Framework for Protecting
Australia’s Children, Possability believes:
“All children have the right to be safe
and to receive loving care and support.
Children also have a right to receive the
services they need to enable them to
succeed in life.” (COA, 2009, P. 6)
Possability creates safe, secure and predictable environments
for children and young people. We build trusting relationships,
communicate expectations, listen and act consistently. We
restore and improve the health and wellbeing of the children
and young people in our Out of Home Care environments.
Possability provides individualised support planning and
includes children and young people in decision-making.
Increasing placement stability is a priority, and we create
opportunities for self-discovery and personal growth. Possability
works to ensure children and young people have access to
education, and encourage engagement in learning and skill
development. Our approaches are positive, child-centred,
inclusive, trauma-informed and evidence-based.
The Practice Development Framework for Out of Home Care
allows us to better meet the needs of the children and young
people we support. It centres on the individual and realises the
importance of creating positive, nurturing environments.
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Possability Practice Framework for Out of Home Care
Practice
Framework
A
Good
Life
Research
produces
leads to
Evidence
Client
Outcomes
informs & guides
ensures
Practice
(Approaches & Actions)
drives
Organisational Strategy
underpins
Organisational
Values
Purpose
(Mission & Vision)
assures
Legislation, Standards,
Human Rights & Governance
Legislation, Standards
and Principles
Disability support models and practice frameworks, including the
new Disability Services Framework and the New Zealand Disability
Strategy, are grounded in key principles and legislation (SEE DHHS,
2009; ODI, 2001) . Standards including quality, safety and upholding
personal rights, for example, underpin frameworks that guide
actions. Possability’s Practice Framework is informed by these
same standards, but also by our own core organisational values.
Possability Practice Framework for Out of Home Care
5
Purpose, Vision
and Values
Our Vision
That all people supported by Possability
will have the maximum potential to
lead a good life.
Our Mission
To empower people with additional
needs to achieve their vision of a good
life, by delivering excellence in support.
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Possability Practice Framework for Out of Home Care
Our Values
Humanity
Human rights and dignity underpin all our decisions and actions. We believe that
every individual has the potential to grow and the right to determine how their life
will be lived.
Honour
We take pride in our work, are true to our word, honour our commitments and
treat our colleagues and clients with integrity and respect.
Innovation
Driven by our commitment to excellence, we are continually learning, taking on
new challenges, and constantly finding ways to excel in the dynamic world we
operate in.
Accountability
We know where we are heading and why. By being efficient, effective and
persistent we find ways to make things possible and deliver results.
Possability Practice Framework for Out of Home Care
7
Practice: Approaches
and Actions
The main focuses of recent Out of Home
Care reforms have been on quality and
safety in service provision. There is a
demand for approaches that increase
placement stability, are child-centred,
and responsive to need. The practices
we employ must also be appropriate for
supporting children who have experienced
trauma (SEE THE NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR
PROTECTING AUSTRALIA’S CHILDREN AND THE
INTEGRATED STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR NEW
DIRECTIONS FOR CHILD PROTECTION IN TASMANIA) .
Possability’s actions are therefore
guided not only by our values, but also
by the current directions in the sector
and evidence-based best practice
demonstrated through research.
Possability’s approaches therefore include:
>> child/youth-centred approaches
>> inclusive practices
>> trauma informed practices
>> positive behaviour support
Child/youth-centred
approaches
All actions by Possability staff are aimed
to achieve the desired outcomes for the
individual child or young person, including
short-term goals and life goals (SEE STIRK
& SANDERSON, 2012, P. 13) . The child/young
person is always included in conversations,
planning and decision-making (SEE COA, 2011;
COA, 2009; UNICEF, 1989) .
Some of our actions include:
>> understanding the child’s life story and
planning according to expressed needs
and life aspirations
>> planning with the child, family and other
key stakeholders, with a focus on health
and wellbeing, and ensuring the child is
safe and secure
>> implementing, reviewing and
adapting care plans to suit individual
circumstances and need
>> providing opportunities to engage in
various experiences that are meaningful
and engaging.
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Possability Practice Framework for Out of Home Care
Inclusive practices
The National Framework clearly states
the need to uphold the child’s right to
participate in decisions that affect their
life and to feel a sense of belonging. The
literature more broadly also demonstrates
a need for children to have a sense of
belonging through stability and security.
Possability therefore:
>> creates warm, caring, secure, and
familiar environments that empower
children to make choices
>> keeps children safe and protects them
from harm
>> establishes routines, clearly
communicates expectations and acts in
a consistent manner
>> creates a sense of home, where ‘home’
is defined as:
“A home is not merely a shelter. A real
home has hearth; a sense of warmth
and comfort. A real home has heart;
it’s a place of emotional warmth and
emotional connection. Home is a place
of privacy where the occupant can
control who comes in and who does
not come in. A real home has a sense
of identity. It has roots, it is where the
person belongs…” (MCCLEAN, 2014)
Possability Practice Framework for Out of Home Care
9
Positive behaviour
support approaches
Possability employs positive behaviour
support approaches as these are
complementary to other practices including
trauma-informed approaches, child-centred
approaches and inclusive approaches.
Further to this, the positive behaviour
support model aligns with our core values
and the legislation.
The key actions of Possability staff that
are associated with these approaches
include preventing problem behaviour
where possible and responding when
necessary by:
>> creating environments designed to meet
individual need, and knowing the person
and their cues for communicating that
they are not coping
>> focusing on skills development,
including skills that replace
problem behaviour, and coping
and tolerance skills
>> responding to the needs that are being
communicated through behaviour, and
offering assistance and understanding.
(SEE LAVIGNA AND WILLIS, 2012)
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Possability Practice Framework for Out of Home Care
Trauma-informed
practices
To create a sense of home, and to abide
by the principles of trauma-informed
support, Possability staff start with
building trust. As many children and
young people in Out of Home Care
have experienced trauma in their lives,
we focus on establishing a relationship
through respectful communication. We
listen, ask about, and honour the opinions
and choices of the children and young
people we support. We recognise that
people may be scared, frightened and
angry, so ‘winning the argument’ is not
as important as establishing trust. Staff
communicate clear boundaries, but they
are compassionate and caring at all times.
Promises that are made to children and
young people are kept. Staff compliment
and encourage the children and young
people we support and find positives on
which to focus. Possability is guided by
the fact that children and young people
who have “multiple, positive healthy
adults invested in their lives improve”
(SEE PERRY & HAMBRICK, 2008) . Furthermore,
we understand the importance of feeling
connected to others:
“People who are connected
to others who know and care
about them lead happier and
healthier lives than people
without relationships.”
Possability staff reduce arousal by creating
and maintaining a consistent, safe and
stable environment (SEE PERRY & HAMBRICK,
2008) . Our approach is to respond in a
calm, caring manner in the face of crisis, by
modelling ‘co-regulation’ (SEE ANGLIN, 2002) .
We reduce arousal and model selfregulation by:
>> providing the basic needs of shelter,
food and clothing, and empowering
the person to have choice, control and
security of access to these
>> acting in a way that is consistent and
predictable i.e. ‘doing what we say we
will do’
>> teaching the person how to be
self-sufficient and meet their
day-to-day needs
>> remaining calm while connecting to the
emotional tone or message the person
is conveying
>> providing an appropriate role model to
the person who is aroused
>> supporting the person to take cues for
appropriate emotional responding
>> teaching the person how to regulate
arousal and emotion.
(COUNCIL ON QUALITY AND LEADERSHIP)
Possability Practice Framework for Out of Home Care
11
Research
and Evidence
Outcomes
The Out of Home Care reform papers,
strategic plans, and National Practice
Frameworks all highlight the need for
practices to be evidence-based. The
practices that are currently included in
Possability’s Practice Framework have been
shown through published research to be
effective. Furthermore, these practices are
consistent with Possability’s values and the
legislation and frameworks under which
Possability is contracted to provide services.
All of Possability’s practices are grounded in
protecting the rights of the individual child or
young person, and in providing high quality
and effective support.
Possability aspires to and achieves high
standards. These standards are guided
by our values, the legislation and new
directions in service provision. The
outcomes we seek to achieve include:
To ensure that Possability continues to deliver
current best practice we will:
>> regularly consult with and always value
the input of all children and young people
we support
>> reflect on and monitor our services
by conducting research and
measuring outcomes
>> continue to research and innovate to
generate new practices and evidence
>> attend forums and conferences to share
knowledge, learn about new directions
and build collaborative partnerships with
key stakeholders
>> monitor literature, review emerging
trends, implement and evaluate
new practices
>> regularly review the practice framework
that guides our actions
>> promote development and provide
opportunities for staff to engage with
relevant education and training.
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Possability Practice Framework for Out of Home Care
>> social and economic participation
>> enhancement in health and wellbeing
>> increased goal attainment.
The outcomes are delivered by being
aware of the direction we are taking,
and being committed, motivated and
courageous. Achieving excellence in
service provision leads to outcomes for the
organisation and the individual. When we
create opportunities for growth, discovery
and learning in secure, safe environments,
this leads to our clients building their
skills and participating socially – in the
home, school and community – and in
the economy. This way our clients achieve
goals, which in turn enhances their health
and wellbeing.
Case Study: How does
our Practice Framework
work for Toby?
Twelve-year-old Toby arrived on a Friday
afternoon at temporary accommodation
operated by Possability. His foster
carers contacted his Case Manager
that morning after an incident the night
before. They said his things were packed
and he was not welcome to come back
after school. He was transported to the
house by a worker who knew nothing
about his situation. The information
provided was that he took medication,
that he could be aggressive, and that
there was a history of physical abuse and
possibly sexual abuse as well. He arrived
at the door with all his possessions in two
large plastic zippered bags.
The staff member recognised that Toby
was likely to be frightened and anxious.
First, the staff member showed Toby
where he would sleep, where he could
put his things, where to find the toilet and
where to find food and drink. The staff
member told Toby he could help himself
to anything he liked and encouraged him
to make a drink and a snack.
The staff member emailed the Team Leader
to find out about the visit.
On Monday the Team Leader in turn
contacted the Case Manager to check on this
and also to ask the Case Manager to meet
with Toby to give him an idea of how long he
would be staying. The Team Leader visited
Toby to let him know about his access visit
and organise an activity plan. Staff followed
the menu and activity plan.
Practices:
>> routines are established and expectations
are clearly communicated
>> acting in a way that is consistent and
predictable i.e. ‘Doing what we say we
will do’
After Toby’s access visit he was angry and
upset, yelling that no-one listened to him and
that he wanted to go home. He also threw
objects and slammed his door. Staff used
active listening and offered a preferred activity
of a new video game. They did not reprimand
him or order him to clear up. The next day
the Team Leader asked him how he would
Practices:
like staff to help him when he was upset. He
said if he went to his room and slammed the
>> providing the basic needs of shelter,
door he wanted to be left alone. The Team
food and clothing, and empowering
the person to have choice, control and Leader also asked him how he was getting on
with staff, and Toby identified staff he enjoyed
security of access to these
working with and others who were “boring”
The staff member then invited Toby to play
and “annoying”. The Team Leader adjusted
one of the DVDs he had in his bag. Over
the roster to phase in more shifts by preferred
the course of the evening, they helped
staff and others with similar attributes.
Toby to unpack his belongings and find
out what he would to eat and his favourite Practices:
activities, noting this in writing. The next
>> responding to the needs that are being
day a staff member talked a bit more with
communicated through behaviour, and
Toby about his food preferences, and they
offering assistance and understanding
made up a menu plan for the coming week
>> remaining calm while connecting to the
and put it on the fridge after shopping
emotional tone or message the person
for the groceries. All staff then followed
is conveying
this plan. The staff member also set some
short-term goals about things Toby would >> providing an appropriate role model to the
like to do in the coming week and checked
person who is aroused
if he had any plans for the week. Toby
>> regularly consulting with and always
believed he was due to have an access
valuing the input of all children and young
visit on Thursday.
people we support
Possability Practice Framework for Out of Home Care
13
Toby also met monthly with Possability’s
Practice Development Consultant, so that
Toby could raise any concerns or issues with
an independent person. They also discussed
the things Toby wanted in life. Some were
outside Possability’s sphere of influence,
such as going home; however, they liaised
with his Case Manager to arrange for Toby
to have photos he could put up of his family.
Toby talked a lot about wanting to be a
“normal boy”. By this he meant making
friends and being able to have friends over
to play or for a birthday party. Possability
organised for Toby to attend Kommunity
Kids, which also resulted in him seeing
a White Lion mentor. The counselling
and mentoring provided Toby with the
opportunity to talk about his emotions
and his life. The Kommunity Kids program
allowed him to socialise, engage in a range
of activities, have fun in a safe and secure
All promises that were made were kept.
environment and make friends. Some of the
Staff employed consistent approaches
social skills he learned were then transferred
and responses, and they followed the
to the school environment. He also joined
same procedures around preventative and
a circus program. On his birthday he had a
reactive strategies. Staff complimented and
party at McDonalds for two friends followed
rewarded Toby when he was well presented
by a trip to the movies.
and behaved well, and made a conscious
Practices:
effort to find other things to compliment
him on.
>> planning according to their expressed
needs and life aspirations
Practices:
After a month in this temporary
arrangement, Possability suggested a
move to a more permanent house closer
to Toby’s school. Toby was involved in
the transition, helping to pack up his
belongings, arranging furniture in the new
house, and selecting a new quilt cover and
posters for his room. A rewards system
and daily timetables were introduced to
encourage Toby to participate in household
chores. The schedule was predictable.
Staff considered that routine was very
important as Toby still needed to know
what to expect and why, because it made
him feel safer. They established trusting
relationships with Toby by listening to
him, reassuring him and giving him space
to calm down when he needed it. It was
necessary to allow Toby the space and
opportunity to self-regulate his emotions.
>> creating environments designed to
meet individual need, and knowing
the person and their cues for
communicating that they are not coping
>> acting in a way that is consistent and
predictable i.e. ‘doing what we say we
will do’
>> teaching the person how to be
self-sufficient and meet their
day-to-day needs
>> supporting the person to take cues for
appropriate emotional responding
>> teaching the person how to regulate
arousal and emotion
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Possability Practice Framework for Out of Home Care
>> promoting a sense of belonging through
stability and security
>> creating warm, caring, secure, and
familiar environments that empower
children to make choices.
Useful Resources
Anda, R.F., Felitti, V.J., Bremner, J.D., Walker, J.D.,
Whitfield, C., Perry, B.D., Dube, S.R., & Giles, W.H.
(2006). The enduring effects of abuse and related adverse
experiences in childhood: A convergence of evidence
from neurobiology and epidemiology. European Archives
of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 256, 174-186.
LaVigna, G.W., & Willis, T.J. (2002). Counter-intuitive
strategies for crisis management within a non-aversive
framework. In D. Allen (ed.), Behaviour management in
intellectual disabilities: Ethical responses to challenging
behaviour. Kidderminster, UK: British Institute of
Learning Disabilities.
Anglin, J. (2002). Pain, normality and the struggle for
congruence: Reinterpreting residential care for children
and youth. Birmingham, NY: Haworth Press.
McDowell, J. (2013). Experiencing out-of-home care
in Australia: The views of children and young people.
The CREATE Foundation. Retrieved on 1 December
2015, from: http://create.org.au/wp-content/
uploads/2014/12/2013-CRE065-F-CREATE-Report-Card2013-Web-File-web.pdf
Asay, T.P., & Lambert, M.J. (1999). The empirical case
for the common factors in therapy: Qualitative findings.
In Hubble, M.A., Duncan, B.L., & Miller, S.D. (eds.), The
heart and soul of change: What works in therapy, (pp. 3356). Washington DC: American Psychological Association.
Bath, H. (2008). The three pillars of trauma-informed care.
Reclaiming Children and Youth, 17(3), 17-21.
Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1997
(Tasmania). Retrieved on 1 December, 2015, from:
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/tas/consol_act/
cypatfa1997399/
Commonwealth of Australia [COA] (2009). Protecting
Children is Everyone’s Business: National Framework for
Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2010. Retrieved on
1 December 2015 from: https://www.coag.gov.au/sites/
default/files/child_protection_framework.pdf
Commonwealth of Australia [COA] (2011). An outline of
the National Standards for out-of-home care. Retrieved
on 1 December 2015, from: https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/
default/files/documents/pac_national_standard.pdf
Department of Health and Human Services (2014). Out
of Home Care Reform in Tasmania. Children and Youth
Services. Retrieved on 1 December 2015, from: http://
www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/children/out_of_home_care_
reform_in_tasmania/introduction_to_out_of_home_care_
in_tasmania
Department of Health and Human Services (2008).
New Directions for Child Protection in Tasmania: An
Integrated Strategic Framework. Child and Family
Services. Retrieved on 1 December 2015, from: http://
www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/63161/
DHHS_version_KPMG_June08_FINAL.pdf
Department of Human Services (2014). Out-of-Home
Care: A Five Year Plan. Victoria’s Vulnerable Children,
Our Shared Responsibility. Victorian Government.
LaVigna, G.W., & Willis, T.J. (2012). The efficacy of
positive behavioural support with the most challenging
behaviour: The evidence and its implications. Journal of
Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 37(3), 185-195.
McClean, B. (2014). A sense of home. Retrieved on 1
December 2015, from: www.bild.org.uk/EasySiteWeb/
GatewayLink.aspx?alId=5006
Perry, B.D., & Hambrick, E.P. (2008). The neurosequential
model of therapeutics. Reclaiming Children and Youth,
17(3), 38-43.
Perry, B.D. (2006). Applying principles of
neurodevelopment to clinical work with maltreated
and traumatized children: The neurosequential model
of therapeutics. In N.B. Webb (ed.), Working with
traumatized youth in child welfare (pp. 27-52). New York:
Guilford Press.
Stirk, S., & Standerson, H. (2012). Creating personcentred organisations: Strategies and tools for managing
change in health, social care and the voluntary sector.
London, UK: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
The Council on Quality and Leadership (2010).
What really matters: A guide to person centred
excellence. Towson, Maryland: The Council on Quality
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The Family Violence Act 2004 (Tasmania). Retrieved on
1 December 2015, from: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/
legis/tas/consol_act/fva2004158/
The Safe at Home Program. Retrieved on 1 December
2015, from: http://www.police.tas.gov.au/programs/safeat-home/
UNICEF. Children in Australia. Retrieved on 1 December
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The United Nations Convention of the Rights of the
Child, 1989. Retrieved on 1 December 2015, from: http://
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childfriendlycrc.pdf
LaVigna, G.W., & Willis, T.J. (2005). A positive behavioural
support model for breaking the barriers to social and
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Possability Practice Framework for Out of Home Care
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Head Office
175 Collins Street
Hobart 7000
1300 067 842
North Office
3 Archer Street
Rocherlea 7250
03 6326 5457
North West Office
12-14 Simpson Street
Somerset 7322
03 6435 2113
www.possability.com.au
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Possability Practice Framework for Out of Home Care