Case studies

Chris

Chris, born in 1992, grew up in a family of neglect and abuse, and no one in his family was willing to care for him. When he was 10 years old, Chris was placed in foster care, but multiple placements in the past five years have ended due to Chris’ challenging behaviour.

Today, Chris lives with caregivers who have looked after him in stable, family environment for the past 18 months. He is receiving therapy and attending school.

“The HCN process certainly provides opportunities for young people that could never be achieved without the joint input of professionals involved in a young person’s life,” said Chris’ therapist. “There is no doubt in my mind that Chris would not be embarking on a course (as he will soon be) or be as emotionally stable as he is if there had not been an interagency team involved in his life.”

Chris was verbally and physically aggressive. He was sexually abused at the age of six, and he has post-traumatic stress disorder, conduct and attachment disorders, and is intellectually disabled.

Agency managers from Child, Youth and Family, Education, and the health and disability sector applied for an interagency plan with HCN funding. Chris received a comprehensive needs assessment, a living skills assessment, an assessment of motor and process skills, and an occupational care analysis interview.

Goals for Chris included:

• transitioning Chris into a long-term placement with his father, who lives overseas
• developing skills to assist Chris to be an integral part of society
• strengthening and rebuilding his relationship with his family
• educational development – social and emotional, as well as a life-skills programme with a support person.

Chris received therapy, 1-1 mentor support, teacher aide, and he was placed with specialist 1-1 caregivers who have looked after him in a stable, family environment for the past 18 months. The placement with his father was tried and was unsuccessful, resulting in disappointment and a sense of lack of belonging for Chris, negatively impacting the progress he had made. However, Chris said he likes his caregivers, and the next priority is finding a long-term care option for him.

Chris attended several of the interagency team meetings, and appreciated being able to talk and give his viewpoint. His active participation in his plan definitely contributed to his development. Chris will always have complex needs, but he has developed well beyond what any of the professionals would have thought possible a few years ago.