SSRC Implementation Handbook and other SSRC resources
The OCG has a range of resources available online for SSRC providers as well as for parents accessing SSRC. This includes the new SSRC Implementation Handbook which was released at the start of 2024. The Handbook goes through the SSRC Code of Practice and provides practical guidance on how to implement your obligations under the Code.
In addition to the Handbook, our other resources include:
- Monitoring factsheet – information about our monitoring and compliance processes
- SSRC register manual – detailed instructions on how to use the SSRC Register
Information for families
Specialised substitute residential care information for families resource is available on our website. This resource assists SSRC Providers to give parents more information about SSRC.
Before providing care to the child, the child and the parents need to be given information about the following—
- the role in decision-making about the ongoing care and support of the child
- the information that will be recorded on the specialised substitute residential care register.
- parents may request that errors in the information are corrected.
Webinars and face-to-face training
Several webinars and face-to-face training sessions are on offer from the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) in the next few months. Some of these sessions may be of particular interest for specialised substitute residential care (SSRC) providers. These sessions also include process handbooks to complement the topic area.
Introduction to the Child Safe Standards
The Child Safe Standards are the adhering principle and core value for any organisation providing child-related service. It is about protecting children in NSW from harm and abuse. For SSRC providers, incorporating the Child Safe Standards into their day-to-day operations is paramount. These sessions are for anyone who is in a child related role, whether they are new or need a refresher.
The OCG runs this training session regularly, and our next times are:
Child Safe Reporting Obligations and Processes
Standard 6 of the Child Safe Standards requires organisations to create processes that respond to complaints in a child-focused way. This training will explain organisation’s reporting obligations under the Child Safe Scheme and build your understanding of what to report, how to report and who they need to report to.
The OCG runs this training session regularly, and our next times are:
- 27 May, 2pm to 3:30pm – online
- 19 June, 3pm to 4:30pm – face to face, Anzac Memorial Hyde Park Sydney, Liverpool Street, Hyde Park South Sydney NSW 2000
Developing a Child Safe Risk Management Plan
This training is for anyone in a child-related role responsible for child safety. A robust risk management plan for carers and organisations is essential for child safety and is important for compliance with Child Safe Standard 8. The OCG runs this training session regularly, and our next times are:
- 22 May, 3pm to 5pm – face to face, Anzac Memorial Hyde Park Sydney, Liverpool Street, Hyde Park South Sydney NSW 2000
- 13 June, 10am to 12pm - online
Verifying Working With Children’s Check - Your obligations as an SSRC Provider
Are you aware of the legal requirement to verify Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearances for anyone working or volunteering with children or young people?
Organisations that provide SSRC must verify the WWCC details for all child-related workers, directors, and board members under section 9A of the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012. More information about who needs a WWCC is available online.
By verifying the WWCC check, organisations and sole traders with employees will be able to check the worker's status. Confirmation of the verification will be sent to the Employer. If there is a change in the status of the WWCC, the Employer will be contacted by the OCG. A guide to the different WWCC outcomes and statuses is also available online.
When organisations verify, the status of the WWCC check is displayed, confirming whether the worker's check is current, clear, or whether there are any conditions imposed.
To verify, your organisation must register as an employer with the OCG separately to your registration as an SSRC provider. Once registered, employers can verify the WWCC details of their employees involved in direct work with children or volunteers online using the Employer Portal. More information on how to register and verify is available on the OCG website.
Please note, sole traders with no employees don’t need to register and verify, but still must provide their WWCC details to their clients (such as parents) for verification.
Recording Placements on the SSRC Register
Recording all nights of care
All registered SSRC Providers must record all nights of care they provide on the SSRC Register. This includes placements that are only 1 or 2 nights long.
The SSRC Register is a collaborative tool which calculates the total days the child has been in SSRC with all providers over a 12-month period so that children don’t remain in care for long periods without oversight.
As mentioned above, the SSRC register manual is a detailed guide on how to use the SSRC Register and is available online. If you are still having difficulties logging in or recording a placement on the SSRC Register please do not hesitate to contact the SSRC team for assistance.
Statutory out-of-home care, specialised substitute residential care and the SSRC Register
Statutory out-of-home care is when the Children’s Court has made an order allocating parental responsibility for a child or young person to the Minister for Community Services. The order requires the child or young person to live with a person who is not their parent in a place which is not their parental home, such as foster or residential care. These children may then receive respite care, including from an SSRC provider.
SSRC is an arrangement between a parent and an organisation for a child to receive care away from their usual home for 3 or more nights in any 7-day period. The care must be for respite or behaviour support or funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Even though an SSRC provider may provide respite services to children who are in statutory out-of-home care, these placements should not be recorded on the SSRC Register. Please do not record any nights of care for children in the SSRC register where there is no arrangement between the child’s parents and your organisation, particularly for children in statutory care arrangements.
If you aren’t sure whether the nights of care you are providing to a child should be recorded on the SSRC Register, contact the SSRC team and we can help you identify which placements need to be recorded.
Contact us
If you have any further questions or suggestions for additional resources and training, you can reach out to us via email at ssrc@ocg.nsw.gov.au or via phone on (02) 8219 3798. We aim to respond to all requests within 3 business days.
