Wintringham is proud to have received Care Leaver Specialisation Verification, becoming the first aged care provider in Australia to achieve this certification. All of Wintringham’s residential aged care homes across Melbourne, regional Victoria and Hobart, plus all Support at Home services, are recognised as delivering specialised services for Care Leavers.
The Australian Government's Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission provides verification for aged care providers with specialised service models, or approaches to care, which includes services for Care Leavers, through its Specialisation Verification program.
Care Leavers are adults who spent part, or all of their childhood in institutional or out of home care. This includes the group known as Forgotten Australians, who experienced significant neglect, abuse and loss of family connection in orphanages, missions, foster care and other institutions across Australia during the twentieth century. Many people who grew up in these settings continue to carry the effects of childhood trauma into later life, including fear of institutions, challenges with trust and heightened vulnerability within aged care environments. Learn more here.
This achievement acknowledges Wintringham's long-standing and comprehensive commitment to delivering safe, trauma-informed care for older people who have experienced or are vulnerable to homelessness, some who are also Care Leavers. This group is sadly over-represented among people needing homelessness services, reflecting greater housing instability compared with the general population. This certification validates the decades of work to understand, respect and respond to the unique needs of this community.
Wintringham Chief Executive Officer Jane Barnes, recently shared with Australian Ageing Agenda that aged care providers have a moral obligation to support older Care Leavers with sensitivity and care. Jane explained that many people may feel anxious about entering aged care, and that targeted, trauma-informed support is essential from the moment someone begins exploring aged care options. “Targeted supports are essential to assist Care Leavers with managing the additional stresses of accessing aged care, and to reduce the risk of retraumatisation,” Jane said.
This Verification also recognises the practical steps Wintringham has taken over many years to embed trauma-informed practice across all areas of our service model and organisation. This includes the introduction of Social Support Case Manager roles in our residential aged care homes, our focus on deinstitutionalised environments through the architecture of our buildings and the importance of referrals through programs like Care finder. Our orientation program also ensures every new staff member gains an understanding of trauma-informed care from day one.
“Wintringham is deeply grateful to the Alliance for Forgotten Australians for their ongoing support. Their lived experience expertise and funding have helped us trial innovative training methods, develop new educational resources and strengthen the capacity of our staff to work alongside Care Leavers with insight and respect,” added Jane.
“While we are honoured to receive this Verification, we also recognise the responsibility that comes with it. Our goal is to continue listening, learning and improving so every person who has experienced childhood institutionalisation feels safe, respected and empowered when they enter aged care with us. The principles of trauma-informed, person-centred and dignity focused care that support Care Leavers, are the same principles that should guide aged care for everyone.”