A new outreach program will offer support through face-to-face sessions and teleconferencing in a bid to strengthen their “foster and kinship placements”.

Minister for Family and Community Services Pru Goward announced the outreach program called OurSPACE this week.

It will be delivered by the Australian Childhood Foundation in collaboration with “carers, agencies, statutory child protection, schools and others”.

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“We know that when trauma in children is left unmanaged, it can have a disastrous impact on their relationships and placement stability,” Ms Goward said.

“Through OurSPACE we will ensure that all children in foster or kinship care in NSW receive local support from experts who will actively reach out to deliver this program wherever it is needed.

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“A young person’s location should not determine their prospects for healing. This support will help young people to deal with trauma so they can maintain a positive and stable placement in care.” 

Up to 2700 children, youth and their carers are expected to use OurSPACE services before June 2020.

A spokesman for the Department of Family and Community Services said the outreach program would involve comprehensive assessments followed by 20 weeks of “evidence-based and informed interventions”.

“The program will support children to recover from the effects of abuse and family violence, as they cannot do this on their own,” he said. 

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“Children recover from trauma most effectively when they have a team of relationships around them that are working together to support their recovery.”

OurSPACE targets children and youth under the age of 15.