Specialised substitute residential care

Supporting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people accessing overnight care.

When a parent makes an arrangement with an organisation for their child to receive overnight respite care or behaviour support for 3 or more nights in a 7-day period outside of the family home in NSW, this is legally known as specialised substitute residential care. Any organisation that provides this type of care falls under the Child Safe Scheme and must follow a code of practice.

We monitor providers of specialised substitute residential care under the Children's Guardian Act 2019 and Children’s Guardian Regulation 2022. Providers must adhere to the SSRC Code of Practice.

For agencies

About specialised substitute residential care

Regulatory requirements have been streamlined to provide a focus on child safety and complement NDIS requirements.

Child Safe Scheme

Providers of this type of care, previously known as voluntary out-of-home care, fall under the Child Safe Scheme.

Specialised substitute residential care register

If your organisation is regulated under the Code of Practice, every placement must be recorded on the SSRC Register, including placements of only one night.

Information for providers

Policy and procedural information for organisations providing care

Sign up for our quarterly newsletter about specialised substitute respite care

Become a specialised substitute residential care provider

Find out how to become a specialised substitute residential care provider.

For parents

Overnight respite care

Care may be a one-off emergency placement, frequent respite arrangements or long-term care. Camps for behaviour support or that are NDIS funded may also be included.

Choosing an overnight respite care organisation

Learn more about choosing the right organisation for your family situation.

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