About KIDS OUT WEST
About KIDS OUT WEST
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Kids Out West is an OCG accredited organisation that delivers a range of child-focused, culturally responsive services designed to improve outcomes for children and young people in Out of Home Care across New South Wales.
We specialise in delivering flexible and responsive care that meets the individual needs of children and young people living in regional, and remote communities. Our programs are grounded in trauma-informed and strengths-based practice, with all staff trained to provide care that promotes safety, stability, and healing.
With over a decade of experience working within the Child Protection and NGO sectors, we have a deep understanding of the complex challenges faced by children, families, carers, and sector professionals. Our team brings practical experience, cultural competence, and a strong commitment to providing consistent, high-quality support.
Why Kids Out West?
Kids Out West was established in 2014 to support children and young people in regional communities who require stable therapeutic environments and consistent relationships with trusted adults.
Our service model focuses on:
• small, consistent care teams
• trauma-informed and evidence-based practice
• structured daily routines and support
• collaboration with DCJ and partner agencies
• supporting young people with complex needs in regional areas
By focusing on stability, relationships and practical support, we help young people move from crisis toward safety, recovery and long-term wellbeing.
Our Impact
Kids Out West works closely with DCJ and partner organisations to support children and young people who require stable therapeutic care environments.
Our work focuses on:
• stabilising placements that have previously experienced disruption
• supporting young people to re-engage with education or training
• building safe and consistent relationships through small care teams
• reducing escalation and crisis situations through structured support
• reducing young people’s involvement with the criminal justice system
• supporting young people to stabilise and safely transition to lower levels of support
• helping young people develop the skills needed for independence
• preparing young people for long-term stability, including restoration, permanency or independent living
Kids Out West continues to strengthen outcome tracking and reporting so we can demonstrate the long-term benefits of stable therapeutic environments for children and young people.
Our Vision
Our Vision
At Kids Out West, we recognise the importance of all children having a strong sense of identity and the right to feel safe and respected.
Our vision is to provide families, children and young people with the opportunity to access reliable, relevant and professional services to support, assist and enhance their ability to thrive.
This is achieved by:
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Supporting children in having safe and child focused opportunities to spend time with parents and loved ones through supervised contact. We believe that ongoing contact with both parents and/or family members is a vital part of having a positive sense of identity and building resilience. Our focus is on ensuring that the child's best interests are paramount during these interactions.
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We create a trauma-sensitive environment where children and adults are safe and feel safe. Pro-actively prevent and/or de-escalate potential crisis situations with children. Manage a crisis situation in a therapeutic manner that reduces the risk of harm to children and staff. Process the crisis event with children to help improve their coping strategies. Effectively deliver in-house TCI training.
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Using a strengths-based framework ensures that the care environment conducts a holistic and balanced approach in caring for the child or young person in Kids Out West’s care. Therapeutic Youth Workers working together as a Team, to reach set goals for positive outcomes for the child/ren or young person.
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Creating a reliable and professional service which is seamless in its engagement, communication and referral process. We recognise the difficult and important role of caseworkers and their managers and we aim to maximise our support.
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Keeping child safety at the forefront of our minds and to uphold the integrity and solid reputation Kids out West has formed.
Our Values
Our Values
Our Team
Our Team
Kids Out West is led by an executive team with extensive experience across the child protection and out-of-home care sector.
Our leadership team has worked in frontline and leadership roles within both the Department of Communities and Justice and non-government organisations supporting children and families. This experience gives us a strong understanding of the child protection system and informs our collaborative approach to working with DCJ, partner agencies and regional communities.
Our trauma-informed, trained, and experienced team of Therapeutic Youth Workers provide compassionate, practical support to children and young people.
Working across our programs, our staff support children and young people who are living with their families, in foster care, kinship care, or residential care arrangements. They deliver consistent, day-to-day support that promotes safety, stability, and wellbeing, in line with each young person’s case plan goals.
Our team members are guided by therapeutic principles and strengths-based practice, and are committed to creating nurturing environments that help children and young people feel seen, heard, and valued..
At Kids Out West, our team of Therapeutic Youth Workers are trained and supported to deliver safe, consistent, and child-focused care. All staff working hold the following checks, training, and certifications to ensure best practice in service delivery:
Verified Working with Children Check (WWCC)
Current National Police Check
Comprehensive Kids Out West Induction, covering child safety, rights-based care, and organisational values
Training in managing trauma-related and pain-based behaviours, appropriate to the level of direct care staff
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) – practical strategies for safely supporting children during escalated behaviours
Trauma-Responsive Practice – foundational understanding of trauma’s impact on behaviour and engagement
Cultural Awareness and Competency Training, including working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families
HLTAID011 First Aid & HLTAID009 CPR certification
COVID-19 Infection Control Training, aligned with current public health guidelines
All staff work under relfective practcie principles and supervision, within clear care frameworks, contributing to the development and implementation of case plan goals through day-to-day therapeutic interactions.
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