Who we are

In Victoria there are a number of children and young people who are unable to live with their families due to physical, sexual or emotional abuse or neglect. These children find themselves living with foster families or in residential care.

For over a decade, START (Specialist Training Assessment and Response Team) has supported the complex care of these children in the provision of professional services to the Department of Human Services and Community Service Organisations. START’s primary focus is the professional support of workers and carers through secondary consultation and training in their advocacy for infants, children and young people in out of home care.

START also has a strong regional focus. Since 1997, we have implemented region-wide training workshops, creating an avenue for workers to share information and gain up-to-date knowledge of the research and thinking in the out of home care sector. In 2001, we initiated the successful regional conference KIC (Kids in Care) START, with follow up conferences in 2002, 2003, 2006 & 2008.

Our expert consultant psychologists and social workers have extensive experience in the out of home care sector and knowledge of childhood trauma and abuse.

Key aspects of our consultant work is to:

  • support out of home care workers and carers
  • validate and reassure case workers’ experience and their reactions to the stressful situations encountered in care work
  • foster skills and understanding in the care of infants, children and young people who experience the effects of childhood abuse and trauma

START consultant psychologists also provide training programs that are tailored to meet individual program or agency needs. The aim is to expand the skill base of workers and carers in the field.

Who uses START?

START is a unique service in Victoria. Access to START is quick and easy, as there are no complex referral processes. Workers and carers contact START consultants directly and negotiate times and frequencies of consultations.

START services

START’s services are founded on a practical and at times complex understanding of the issues facing infants, children and young people in out of home care. START provides a wide range of support services, which are tailored to suit the needs of individual workers, programs and agencies.

For more information regarding secondary consultations, click here.