Berry Street’s Teaching Family Model

In our continual effort to achieve improved outcomes for vulnerable children and young people, Berry Street is implementing a new evidenced based, therapeutic model for children in out-of-home care, the Teaching Family Model (TFM).

The Teaching Family Model is designed to support children and young people aged 6-17 to develop proactive social behaviours, increase their social skills and achieve developmental milestones through their relationship with the Teaching Family carers. The Teaching Family Model requires two carers to live with and care for children whilst implementing a model that focuses on strengths, problem-solving and leadership. Carers must undergo an intensive year-long training process to become accredited TFM Practitioners.

Berry Street is the first organisation to implement this model in Australia. The model has a strong, evidence- based history in parts of North America, the UK and New Zealand, demonstrating improved outcomes for children who can’t live safely at home.

The success of this model in changing the lives and future pathways of children and young people is reliant on us getting the right carers.

We are looking for people who want to make a positive difference in the lives of children and young people, who have caring experience or are existing foster carers and who may be interested in becoming involved. This could be a Community Services professional looking for a lifestyle change, or foster carers wanting to try something new.

Do you know anyone who fits the bill? Or could it be you?

Teaching Family carers need to be in a stable, live-in partnership and looking for a lifestyle that complements their desire to care for young people. This is not exclusive to couples, however, it does require two carers. This could, for example, be a mother and daughter carer team, a brother and sister or long-term friends.

Both carers are required to be comprehensively involved with the Berry Street TFM Consultant who will meet with them weekly to coach and support them through learning the TFM model. Over a 12 month period, teaching-carers master new skills that are evidenced to work in providing stable and robust care for children.

The model requires at least one of the Teaching Family carers to become a full time carer. You will receive a carer’s payment for providing care and reimbursements for the cost of living. The option to take 12 months unpaid leave is available for Berry Street employees.

We are currently accepting expressions of interest to become a TFM carer and we would love to talk further with anyone who is interested in finding out more.

To have a confidential discussion, contact Frances Head, Teaching Family Program Manager on 0455 587 197, [email protected], or fill out an expression of interest on our website.