Residential Care Learning and Development Strategy (RCLDS)

RCLDS enhances outcomes for children and young people in residential care by providing fully funded training for Victorian residential care workers, supported by funding from the Victorian government.

Last updated: 12 Dec 2024

Building a skilled, supported, and celebrated residential care workforce

RCLDS is a learning and development strategy, with training as a key component. It also includes other support mechanisms to assist in developing the residential care workforce, including forums, conferences, seminars, scholarships and excellence awards.

RCLDS promotes

  • The ongoing development of a skilled and stable workforce.
  • The provision of high-quality training, supervision and support to workers.
  • The development and delivery of appropriate pre-service and in-service qualifications relevant to the field.
  • A commitment to, and development of, a lifelong learning culture in the workplace.
  • Responding to current trends/issues in residential care through evidence-informed learning and development activities.
Upcoming RCLDS training
View all events

Therapeutic Residential Care (TRC) Collective Session

January 22 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

The TRC’s first session for 2025 will take place on 22 January, facilitated by Nat Tillinger, Statewide Principal Practitioner, and Clare McCrumlish, Principal Practice Advisor for Child Sexual Exploitation. This session will […]

  • RCLDS
  • Trauma Informed Practice in Residential Care

Therapeutic Residential Care (TRC) Collective Session

February 19 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

The TRC’s second session 2025, on 19 February, will be co-facilitated by Natalie Tillinger and Marcus Coats, Principal Practitioner for Secure Care. This session will focus on the role and purpose of Secure Care in […]

  • RCLDS
  • Trauma Informed Practice in Residential Care

RCLDS training programs

Aboriginal Cultural Awareness

Developing cultural competence for residential carers through Aboriginal engagement and protocols.

A Mental Health Toolkit for Residential Carers

Key principles and frameworks in residential care for supporting young people with mental ill-health.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

Learn to provide suicide first-aid intervention with LivingWorks ASIST training.

CARE Teams and the Role of the Residential Carer

Learn to embed collaborative practices and communication strategies in CARE team processes.

Case Noting in Residential Care

Develop best practices for documenting case notes with clarity and accuracy.

Improving Educational Outcomes for Young People in Residential Care

Navigating the education system to enhance school engagement for young people in residential care.

Managing ADHD and Difficult Behaviours in Out-of-home-care

Practical, trauma-informed strategies for supporting young people with ADHD in residential care.

Occupational Violence and Aggression Training

Effective strategies for safely managing situations with escalating behaviour in the workplace.

SafeTALK – Suicide Prevention

Learn skills to intervene and connect individuals to help.

Skilled At Looking After Children (LAC) Training

Applying the Best Interests Case Practice model for effective planning and outcomes.

Supervision and Leadership in Residential Care

Strengthen your leadership skills with trauma-informed supervision strategies for residential care.

Trauma-informed Practice in Residential Care

Building knowledge and skills for trauma-informed care in residential settings.

Understanding Autism – Practical Strategies for Staff in Residential Care Settings

Practical strategies for understanding and supporting young people with autism spectrum disorder.

Understanding Professional Boundaries

Strengthening professional boundaries for effective therapeutic relationships.

Working With Young People Who Use Drugs and Alcohol

Practical approaches to supporting young people with substance use challenges.

Fire Safety Induction

Essential knowledge on fire prevention and handling emergencies effectively.

Food Safety

Equipping residential care staff with the knowledge to ensure safe and nutritious meals.

Infection Control in Residential Care

Minimising infection risks while maintaining privacy in residential care settings.

Reportable Conduct Scheme – A Guide for Residential Care Workers

A guide to the Reportable Conduct Scheme for residential care workers.

Supporting Young People With Medication

Equipping residential care workers with safe and compliant medication administration skills.
RCLDS Resource Hub
Resources for the residential care workforce to support their wellbeing, service delivery, and safety as they continue to care for children and young people in residential care.
Find out more

ResiROCKS

ResiROCKS is an annual event that brings together residential care workers from across Victoria. This event recognises and celebrates practice excellence and cultivates a culture of learning and innovation and the sharing of knowledge and ideas.

Learn more

The RCLDS Further Education Scholarships 2024/2025

The RCLDS Further Education Scholarship provides financial support for individuals working in the residential care sector to pursue higher education.

The Scholarship aims to enhance the quality of residential care services by supporting workers with a Certificate IV in Child Youth and Family Intervention (Residential and Out of Home Care), or similar qualifications, in advancing their education through a relevant Diploma or Undergraduate Degree.

Successful applicants will receive up to $2,000 to cover tuition fees and essential textbooks, with funds provided upon proof of enrolment.

Apply now Learn more

Residential Care Workforce Research

In 2022, the Residential Care Learning Development Strategy (RCLDS) commissioned research to gain a better picture of the Victorian Residential Care Workforce. We gathered insights from residential care providers representing over 2,000 residential care staff.
Latest updates from RCLDS
The latest news and updates from RCLDS and the residential care sector. View all news

The Therapeutic Residential Care (TRC) Collective’s First 2025 Meetings

17 Dec 2024

The Therapeutic Residential Care (TRC) Collective is a pathway to support, innovation and professional growth for...
  • Residential Care (RCLDS)

The Power to Kids Scholarship

24 Oct 2024

We’re thrilled to announce Residential Care Learning and Development Strategy (RCLDS) is now offering an exciting...
  • Content

ResiROCKS 2024: Celebrating Connection, Innovation, and Nurturing the Spark for Education in Residential Care

16 Oct 2024

On Thursday, 10 October, over 500 attendees gathered in Melbourne for our annual ResiROCKS event, a...
  • Content

Residential Care projects

The Residential Care Sector Occupational Health and Safety Capability Program

25 Jul 2021

  • News
  • Out of home care (OOHC)
  • Residential Care
  • Residential Care (RCLDS)
The Residential Care Sector Occupational Health and Safety Capability (RCSOC) Program is a two-year project to engage in a sector-wide program of organisational change to address Occupational Violence and Aggression (OVA) experienced by residential care workers.

Prevention of Occupational Violence and Aggression in Residential Care Services

25 Nov 2023

  • Residential Care
  • Residential Care (RCLDS)
  • Workforce
Child and Family Services’ workers are entitled to a healthy and safe workplace and to compensation and rehabilitation if they are injured at work.  
RCLDS Resources
View all resources
External Link
Worker Self-Care Template (RCLDS) A template for leaders to utilise in promoting proactive self-care for staff wellbeing.
External Link
Worker Safety Plan Template (RCLDS) A template for leaders to utilise for staff wellbeing – planning responses for staff to utlise in stressful or unsafe…
File
Shadow Shift Checklist (RCLDS)
External Link
Trauma-sensitive language for use with children A tool which provides suggestions for alternatives to negative words when representing children’s experiences of trauma.

Our training services for powerful learning and growth