Preliminary learnings from the KEYS East program– bringing mental health into partnership with out of home care
Tracks
Springbrook Room - In Person Only
| Tuesday, March 19, 2024 |
| 1:50 PM - 2:10 PM |
Overview
Alex James & Lauren Rodgers, Mind Australia
Details
Presentation Key Learnings
1. A key barrier to accessing support involves support periods being closed due to young people’s presentation or non-attendance of appointment, resulting in sporadic and disconnected mental health support.
2.A trauma informed lens for this vulnerable population requires increased flexibility in service system.
3. With the introduction of safer trauma informed in-home supports, we see a reduction in behaviours of concern and increased capacity to engage with treatment and biopsychosocial supports.
Speaker
Mr Alex James
Manager - Mental Health Clinician
Mind Australia
Preliminary learnings from the KEYS East program– bringing mental health into partnership with out of home care
Abstract
In Australia, risk of mental health challenges in young people in out-of-home care (OOHC) is much higher (60-83%) compared to their peers in the general population (14-25%), and these young people face more challenges when accessing support services. To improve the support provided to these highly vulnerable young people, the Victorian Government commenced the Keep Embracing Your Success (KEYS) program to address some of the systemic barriers to services. One of the program sites is KEYS East, delivered by a consortium of partners including MacKillop Family Services, Mind Australia, VACCA, and YSAS.
KEYS East provides 12 months residential care and 6-months transition support for young people aged 12–17 years. The program takes a new approach to working with young people in OOHC who exhibit complex, risky, and challenging behaviours. Staff include a multidisciplinary team (e.g., neurofeedback specialist and psychiatrist, trauma-informed staff, and mental health clinician) who utilise holistic trauma-informed therapeutic approaches and deliver an agile model of care. Young people receive a range of support and therapeutic interventions, assisting with their recovery and transition towards home-based care or independent living.
This paper will address three research questions: (1) What are the barriers to accessing services in young people in OOHC?, (2) How does the KEYS East program address these barriers? and (3) What are some of the emerging learnings and findings from the program?
KEYS East provides 12 months residential care and 6-months transition support for young people aged 12–17 years. The program takes a new approach to working with young people in OOHC who exhibit complex, risky, and challenging behaviours. Staff include a multidisciplinary team (e.g., neurofeedback specialist and psychiatrist, trauma-informed staff, and mental health clinician) who utilise holistic trauma-informed therapeutic approaches and deliver an agile model of care. Young people receive a range of support and therapeutic interventions, assisting with their recovery and transition towards home-based care or independent living.
This paper will address three research questions: (1) What are the barriers to accessing services in young people in OOHC?, (2) How does the KEYS East program address these barriers? and (3) What are some of the emerging learnings and findings from the program?
Biography
Alex has spent the last ten years working in the mental health sector supporting young people to connect with community, find meaning, and develop compassion for self and others as they redefine their recovery. Working across residential and community-based settings, Alex has advanced individual and collective responses to young people experiencing trauma, mental health concern and substance use, engendering agile and inclusive approaches which utilise lived and living experiences as an integral change agent.
Lauren Rodgers
Residential Coordinator
Mackillop Family Services
Preliminary Learnings From the Keys East Program– Bringing Mental Health Into Partnership With Out of Home Care
Biography
Lauren has worked within the out of home care sector for over 6 years. Primarily supporting young people residing in residential care settings, Lauren holds a passion for guiding teams to provide a high level of care for and respond to individuals with complex needs with a multi-disciplinary, trauma informed approach. Lauren strives to provides a platform for young people with statutory involvement to navigate their pathway in the development and redefining of their sense of self. Working closely with young people experiencing CSE concerns, substance use engagement and complex acute mental health presentations, Lauren has been a part of the implementation of the KEYS (Keep Embracing Your Success) Multi-disciplinary program and wider KEYS consortium over the last 2 developing years of the Eastern Metro Melbourne Program.
