Implementing the Safer Households Model in Aged Care: Early Insights from a Multi-Site Evaluation
Tracks
Binna Burra Room - In-Person Only
| Tuesday, June 23, 2026 |
| 2:20 PM - 2:40 PM |
Overview
Brian Tomney & Marie Rose Hyland, Uniting Seniors Services NSW.ACT
Presenter
Ms Marie Rose Hyland
Practice Lead, Mental Health and Wellbeing Services
Uniting NSW.ACT
Implementing the Safer Households Model in Aged Care: Early Insights from a Multi-Site Evaluation
Biography
I am a practice lead with executive management experience, and over a decade of experience leading clinical and non clinical teams across government, NGOs, and private sectors. I’m passionate about client centred and informed work. My background spans Therapeutic Residential Care, Youth Justice, Out of Home Care, Drug and Alcohol services, and Mental Health programs. I specialise in strategic organisational development, portfolio and program leadership, and systems uplift to support quality practice and growth. My work includes clinical consultation, practice supervision, policy development, staff training, and sector wide innovation. I hold a Master of Art Therapy from the University of Western Sydney.
Mr Brian Tomney
Mental Health Practice Specialist
Uniting Seniors Services Nsw.act
Implementing the Safer Households Model in Aged Care: Early Insights from a Multi-Site Evaluation
Presentation Overview
Background: The Safer Households initiative, adapted from the SafeWards model, aims to create calmer, safer, and more connected residential environments in aged care. Grounded in Uniting’s Household Model of Care, it promotes relational approaches that support emotional safety and reduce distress and aggression.
Methods: A mixed-methods process evaluation was conducted across three aged care homes guided by the Model for Adaptation Design and Implementation (MADI), Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), and RE-AIM. Data sources included interviews with staff and residents, training materials, and routinely collected indicators (incident data, Quality of Care Experience [QCE], Quality of Life [QoL]).
Results: Implementation approaches differed across sites. Site 1 adopted a champion-led coaching model, and Site 2 a structured committee approach, both fostering cultural shifts toward calmer, kinder environments. Staff reported improved teamwork and communication; residents described feeling more respected and emotionally secure. Routine data showed early signs of improvements in QCE but no consistent change in QoL or incidents. Site 3’s implementation was limited due to competing priorities and adaptation challenges.
Conclusions: The Safer Households model appears feasible and valued when supported by strong leadership, visible champions, and adaptable resources. Embedding the model within induction, supervision, and quality systems may enhance sustainability. Findings highlight the potential of relational, recovery-oriented approaches to improve emotional safety and wellbeing in residential aged care.
Three Key Learnings
1. The SafeWards model was successfully implemented in two out of three pilot residential aged care facilities.
2. The successful implementation of SafeWards in residential aged care is facilitated by strong leadership, visible champions, and adaptable resources.
3. The pilot implementation of SafeWards highlights the potential of relational, recovery-oriented approaches to improve emotional safety and well-being in residential aged care.
Methods: A mixed-methods process evaluation was conducted across three aged care homes guided by the Model for Adaptation Design and Implementation (MADI), Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), and RE-AIM. Data sources included interviews with staff and residents, training materials, and routinely collected indicators (incident data, Quality of Care Experience [QCE], Quality of Life [QoL]).
Results: Implementation approaches differed across sites. Site 1 adopted a champion-led coaching model, and Site 2 a structured committee approach, both fostering cultural shifts toward calmer, kinder environments. Staff reported improved teamwork and communication; residents described feeling more respected and emotionally secure. Routine data showed early signs of improvements in QCE but no consistent change in QoL or incidents. Site 3’s implementation was limited due to competing priorities and adaptation challenges.
Conclusions: The Safer Households model appears feasible and valued when supported by strong leadership, visible champions, and adaptable resources. Embedding the model within induction, supervision, and quality systems may enhance sustainability. Findings highlight the potential of relational, recovery-oriented approaches to improve emotional safety and wellbeing in residential aged care.
Three Key Learnings
1. The SafeWards model was successfully implemented in two out of three pilot residential aged care facilities.
2. The successful implementation of SafeWards in residential aged care is facilitated by strong leadership, visible champions, and adaptable resources.
3. The pilot implementation of SafeWards highlights the potential of relational, recovery-oriented approaches to improve emotional safety and well-being in residential aged care.
Biography
Brian Tomney qualified as a mental health nurse in England in 2003, before moving with his family to Australia in 2008. Brian has worked in a wide range of inpatient and community mental health services caring for people of all ages. Brian worked as a Clinical Nurse Consultant in older peoples community mental health services, initially in Central Queensland and then Sydney for 10 years, before moving to Uniting Senior Services last year. Brian' s role at Uniting is to provide clinical leadership in mental health to Uniting's residential and community aged care services in New South Wales and ACT.
