You will require this accreditation if you intend to provide out-of-home care services for children and young people in New South Wales. Out-of-home care programs provide care to children and young people who may not be able to live safety at home or who have been placed in someone else's care by the children's court.
There are two types of out-of-home care services that require accreditation:
- Statutory out-of-home care is provided to children and young people for at least 14 days when the Children's Court makes an order or the young person is designated a 'protected person'
- Voluntary out-of-home care is arranged between a parent and an organisation when there are no concerns for the child's safety.
You can apply to the New South Wales Office of the Children's Guardian for accreditation to provide statutory out-of-home care services. When you apply for this accreditation, you will have the option to also apply for accreditation to provide voluntary out-of-home care services.
You may be granted full or provisional accreditation. Provisional accreditation will involve an indirect assessment of your out-of-home care practices and procedures. Full accreditation may be granted when you begin providing out-of-home care services and after an evidence based review of your out-of-home care practices and procedures.
Please consult the Contact Officer for more information.
