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PaTH (Path to Healing) – Therapeutic Foster Care
OzChild’s therapeutic foster care program, known as PaTH, is an enhanced foster care model providing additional specialist training, financial support, and therapeutic specialist access for carers to support children and young people with experiences of trauma, abuse or severe disruption. The care environment is designed to be a positive, safe space that provides a path to healing, learning, and growth by addressing the impacts of past abuse, neglect, and disrupted attachments.
Delivering Stability, Healing and Hope
Why Therapeutic Foster Care?
Children entering care often carry deep emotional wounds from past experiences of abuse, neglect, family violence, or instability. These challenges require more than just a home – they require a therapeutic environment where healing is possible, where trauma is understood, and where carers are professionally supported every step of the way.
OzChild’s Therapeutic Foster Care model – known as PaTH – offers a Path to Healing. It’s a dynamic and collaborative approach that prioritises:
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healing from trauma
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building resilience
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strengthening attachments
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providing consistency and structure
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empowering carers and children alike.
What Makes Our PaTH Program Different?
Dedicated Therapeutic Support
Each carer is supported by a team of professionals, including a:
- Therapeutic Specialist – delivers assessments, plans interventions and provides clinical support tailored to the child’s developmental and emotional needs.
- Therapeutic Practitioner – coordinates wrap-around supports for both the carer and child.
This care team works collaboratively to promote stability and ensure the best outcomes for each child.
Children’s Voices at the Centre
Children and young people are empowered through participation in:
- regular care team meetings
- planning and decision-making processes
- age-appropriate, culturally safe communication.
We honour their right to be heard – fostering self-determination and personal growth.
24/7 Support for Carers
Our carers are never alone. Around-the-clock support is available, offering:
- emergency response
- emotional reassurance
- crisis planning and intervention.
Comprehensive Training and Development
PaTH Therapeutic Foster Carers receive:
- specialist training before a child is placed with you, covering trauma, attachment, positive behaviour support and therapeutic care principles
- ongoing professional development workshops
- regular supervision and reflective practice sessions
- peer support groups to share strategies and reduce isolation
- individual coaching to build confidence and capacity.
Who is PaTH Therapeutic Foster Care For?
OzChild’s PaTH Therapeutic Foster Care program is designed for children and young people aged 0–18 who require additional support beyond what general foster care can provide. This includes those who:
- have experienced multiple placement breakdowns
- live with mental health challenges or disabilities
- are impacted by significant trauma, displacement, or exploitation
- need intensive, culturally safe, and evidence-informed therapeutic intervention.
Placements can range from a few months to a year or more, with the goal of reunification, transition to permanent care or independent living, where appropriate.
A Healing-Focused, Evidence Informed Program
The PaTH Therapeutic Foster Care model is built on trauma-informed care and child development principles. Tools such as the Parent Daily Report (PDR), Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and other structured assessments guide our therapeutic plans and help us respond rapidly to the changing needs of each child.
PaTH Carers are key members of the care team, and every strategy is co-designed to help children heal, grow, and thrive.
A Culturally Safe and Inclusive Model
At OzChild, we deeply value and actively support each child’s cultural identity. Our services are:
- culturally safe and inclusive for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families if ACCO’s are unable to provide a suitable placement
- respectful of multicultural backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ identities, and neurodiversity
- committed to embedding self-determination, particularly for Aboriginal families, in line with state frameworks and legislation.
Thinking of Becoming a PaTH Therapeutic Foster Carer?
We’re looking for compassionate, committed individuals and families ready to make a life-changing difference. You’ll receive:
- comprehensive training
- professional support
- financial assistance (minimum level 3 care allowance)
- ongoing guidance and care team involvement
- the incredible opportunity to transform a child’s life.
Healing begins with one person — could it be you?
If you’re curious or ready to take the next step, we’d love to hear from you.
Choose your region
Select your region to create an enhanced and personal experience.