Collaborating on a Culturally Sustainable Mental Health Model for Young People in Care with Complex Needs
Tracks
Springbrook Room - In Person Only
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 |
8:55 AM - 9:15 AM |
Overview
Sarah Macleish, Darren Giddens & Rebecca Cort, Arches Foundation & Isaac Simon & Robert Brown, Yalga Connect
Details
Presentation Key Learnings:
1. Exploring the framework that guided multi-agency collaboration centred on cultural sustainability.
2. The power of asking the right questions.
3. Reviewing the new culturally sustainable mental health model
Speaker
Ms Rebecca Cort
Manager Organisational Wellbeing
Arches Foundation
Collaborating on a Culturally Sustainable Mental Health Model for Young People in Care with Complex Needs
Abstract
Children in care have statistically significantly higher cumulative developmental trauma and psychopathological vulnerability to ill mental health (O’Hare et al., 2021; Baldwin et al., 2019; Tarren-Sweeney, 2008; Magalhães & Calheiros, 2017, p. 442). Children in contact with child protection report the highest levels of mental ill health in the western world (O’Hare et al., 2021). This figure multiplies again for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. When working with Aboriginal children, culture and family must also inform treatment. The Family Matters Report, 2021, suggests our multidisciplinary service teams are still isolating Aboriginal stake holders from planning and consultation.
The complexities of inter-linked risk factors of child mental health, for children in care, requires multi-disciplinary collaborative practice (Galbally, et al., 2021). Due to the extensive attachment poverty children in care navigate, finding culturally sustainable alternative sources of attachment within the stakeholder group is essential in preventing worsening of mental health (O’Hare, 2021; Galbally, et al., 2021). In response to this emerging research, a unique culturally sustainable mental health model has been created collaboratively by Queensland Mental Health, Child Safety, Yalga and the Arches Foundation
In this panel session, we explore not only the model, but also the collaborative process to provide unique and helpful insight into what this can look and feel like, as we work together to close the still there gap. The panel will explore how cultural sustainability, preventative mental health, and trauma informed practice informed the innovative framework of care for children and young people with extremely complex needs in out-of-home care. Our panel includes distinguished members from Queensland Mental Health, Child Safety, Yalga and the Arches Foundation.
The complexities of inter-linked risk factors of child mental health, for children in care, requires multi-disciplinary collaborative practice (Galbally, et al., 2021). Due to the extensive attachment poverty children in care navigate, finding culturally sustainable alternative sources of attachment within the stakeholder group is essential in preventing worsening of mental health (O’Hare, 2021; Galbally, et al., 2021). In response to this emerging research, a unique culturally sustainable mental health model has been created collaboratively by Queensland Mental Health, Child Safety, Yalga and the Arches Foundation
In this panel session, we explore not only the model, but also the collaborative process to provide unique and helpful insight into what this can look and feel like, as we work together to close the still there gap. The panel will explore how cultural sustainability, preventative mental health, and trauma informed practice informed the innovative framework of care for children and young people with extremely complex needs in out-of-home care. Our panel includes distinguished members from Queensland Mental Health, Child Safety, Yalga and the Arches Foundation.
Biography
Rebecca Cort manages the Organisational Well-being team across two organisations, implementing innovative approaches to resilience and mental health for children, young people and their caregivers. This includes supporting workers after exposure to violence, aggression, and critical workplace incidents to maintain a steadfast relational alliance for children and young people with significant developmental trauma and mental health concerns because this is the primary mechanism for healing. She previously worked as a senior advisor for a national NGO, consulting with private and government sectors around Australia to become trauma-informed and develop psychologically safe cultures.
Ms Sarah Macleish
Director
The Arches Foundation
Collaborating on a Culturally Sustainable Mental Health Model for Young People in Care with Complex Needs
Biography
Sarah is the co-founder of Real Support Services, Arches Accommodation Supports and The Arches Foundation. These agencies provide tailored and targeted service delivery to meet residential care, family intervention, foster (and other care arrangements) and youth development needs, engaging in unique models of care and client response frameworks where general care models are not effective. Sarah has provided consistent consultation to government agencies on a diverse range of child protection matters, working across complex issues and stakeholder groups.
Sarah has fostered co-design and the development of partnerships with First Nations agencies to support outcomes for First Nations Young People within the care system in Queensland, as well as the development of staff support systems to support overall wellbeing, resilience and longevity of staff within the child protection space. Sarah is passionate about organisational culture and leadership, strategic planning and innovation, stakeholder engagement for purpose; with a focus on frameworks, models and systems design to support people to achieve outcomes.
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