About Us 
About Us
UPA
&
Youth Care UPA
UPA OF NSW LTD
THE United Prodestant Association (UPA) ia a community based incorporated charity and company limited by guarantee. At present the UPA provide community based and residential service to disadvantaged young people and the frail aged as well as respite services for carers in NSW.
UPA MISSION STATEMENT
To offer care of the highest possible standard consistent with the UPA's Christian commitment and the expextations of Society.
Who ARE WE ?
Youth Care UPA is a program of the UPA far North Coast to provide a secure, safe and caring alternate living arrangement for those young people who cannot or choose not to live with their natural families.
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Jeff Program Manager -
Aiden Case Worker -
Youth Care UPA Christmas Party -
The Youth Care Team
What We Do What We Do
WHAT DO WE DO ?
It is our mission to provide an efficient and effective out of home care which empowers young people, and creates opportunities for their future to enhance their quality of life.
This will be achieved in collaboration with the young person, their family and other relavant people.
Youth Care UPA plans for quality outcomes, while providing outreach and suport to young people with identified needs.
WHO CAN USE US ?
Youth Care UPA accepts clients who have been referred by the NSW Family and Community Services.
HOW DO WE DO IT ?
Youth Care UPA provides out of home care to young people by placing them with carers. Our carers are recruited, trained and supported in a manner which is consistent with the identified needs of young people.
Carers recieve an allowance for the care of these young people.
Appropriate care will meet the physical, cultural, social. economic and spiritual needs of the young person.
Youth Care UPA provides 24 hour support to young people and their carers.
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Youth Care UPA does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, nationaliy, religion or socio-economic grounds.
OUT OF HOME CARE
Out of home care refers to programmes for children and young people who need to be cared for away from their own families for a variety of reasons.
AREA COVERED ?
Youth Care UPA services the area from Tweed Heads in the north, Evans Head in the south to Casino and beyond in the west.
TARGET GROUP
Youth Care UPA offers a service to young people who are aged up to 18 years of age and have been identified as having a need of out of home care.
We offer either medium or long term care. Our aim, either restoration to the natural family, independant living, or other appropriate arrangements.
WHERE WE ARE ?
Youth Care UPA have their office at the United Protestant Association far North Coast,
101 - 103 Main Street Alstonville 2477
Criteria Criteria to Become a Carer
AgeNo set age requirements, though it is expected that carers providing long-term care for a child will be able, if necessary, to continue care until the child is able to live independently. All Applicants will undergo a medical check by a registered GP.Applicant StatusSingle, married/defacto, with or without children.Youth Care UPA does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, nationality, religion, lifestyle choice, sexual preference or socio-economic grounds.Fertility (where infertility is an issue)To be eligible to do long term care, an applicant must have finished their involvement with a fertility program for a period of not less than 12 months.Applicants must demonstrate an acceptance of their infertility and an understanding of the impact of infertility upon each of them as an individual and as a family.HealthAn applicants health (both physical and mental) shall be such as to ensure he or she is able to undertake the task of fostering. For applicants for long-term care, this may involve raising the child to adulthood.Financial ResourcesIn general, applicants who provide long-term care should have adequate financial resources.AccommodationApplicants should have adequate, safe accommodation for a child. This does not mean that applicants should necessarily own their own home. A bedroom must be available for a foster child.ResidenceApplicants must live in the Far North Coast of NSW area.Caring skillsApplicants must demonstrate an ability to undertake the special responsibilities involved in caring for a foster child. Carers must be able to:draw on and apply personal experiences appropriately in dealing with the tasks of fosteringwork effectively as a team with staff from our agency, other organisations and birth parentspromote the positive development of children and young people in foster careprovide a safe and compassionate environment that is free from abuse.Involvement with the agencyApplicants must be willing to participate in the initial training and assessment process.Applicants must demonstrate a capacity to work with Youth Care UPA in order to meet the changing needs of a child or young person. This will involve a willingness and ability to communicate with the agency, participate in planning and reviewing of the childs care, and participate in ongoing training.Birth family contactApplicants must demonstrate an understanding of the importance of the origins, culture and past experience of the child or young person in their care. Applicants must demonstrate an acceptance of the agencys commitment to ongoing contact between the child and his/her birth parents and a willingness to facilitate such contact.Care of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young peopleOur agency has a commitment to placing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people with carers who share their cultural background.Carers who identify as being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander are asked to provide proof of this (eg, a letter from a Land Council) and details of the community to which they belong if they wish to provide foster care for a child from their own cultural background.Discipline of children or young peopleCarers are expected to work closely with agency staff in developing appropriate discipline strategies for the particular child or young person in their care. Foster carers are not allowed to use any physical force to discipline foster children.Applicants must demonstrate an ability to effectively discipline children without the use of physical punishments eg hitting. It is very important that foster children are disciplined in a way that sends a strong message to them that they are cared for in spite of their behaviour. Experience has shown that hitting or other physical punishment is not effective in dealing with these children. As children in care have experienced abuse in the past usually have not experienced consistent caring parenting.Our agency has a behaviour management policy which guides carers on how they can appropriately discipline children.Health and hygiene standardsCarers are expected to confirm to guidelines designed to ensure that children are being cared for in a healthy environment. Such guidelines include the practice of universal infection control and ensuring that there is no smoking within the home. Training is provided to carers about health and hygiene standards.Application to other agenciesApplicants must advise of previous applications to become a carer with other agencies in Australia and overseas and the outcomes of those applications.Applicants will be asked for permission for our agency to contact others to whom you have previously applied.
Process The Process to Become a Carer
Becoming a carer involves a number of steps. You have taken the first step in making your enquiry. If you have called us we have registered your enquiry.We would like you to read this information carefully. If you are still interested in applying to be a carer, send us the Registration of Interest form attached to the covering letter. When you do that we will arrange an initial Information Exchange Session.The Information Exchange Session gives you and the people in your household an opportunity to meet with workers from our agency and an experienced carer.After this session you can decide whether you wish to continue the process of becoming a carer by participating in a training program and a series of assessment interviews. The assessment interviews are not something you pass or fail. We work with you to discover together whether fostering is a suitable option for you and your family at this time.Once you have been approved as a carer, you will be approached when a child or young person is matched with the type of care you can provide. You will have the opportunity to discuss any issues that may be raised for you and your household if you accepted the placement of that child or young person. Usually it is possible for you to meet the child or young person before you make the decision about taking that placement.Does the assessment process involve doing tests?No, the assessment process is designed to enable our agency and you to make an informed decision together. At each stage in the process you will be given feedback.This may include identifying issues that may impact on your ability to provide foster care.What will the assessment interviews cover?Because being a foster carer is such an important task, you will be asked about many aspects of your life relevant to being a foster carer. In particular, we will look at your ability to:•draw from and apply your own personal experiences to the tasks of fostering•provide good quality day to day care for children and young people•provide a safe and nurturing environment•work with other people, particularly staff from our agency and other organisations and birth parents.What does the medical check involve?During the assessment:•you will be asked to complete a Health checklist•your doctor will be asked to complete a Medical QuestionnaireThe purpose of these checks is to determine if you have the physical and psychological health to undertake the task of fostering. Questions are asked about:•physical health•emotional health•current and past illnesses and medical problems•use of drugs (prescribed and non-prescribed)•smokingIf any medical issue arises that may affect your suitability to foster, it will be discussed with you fully to help us work out together its potential impact on children or young people in your care.What does the accommodation check involve?This is a check to ensure that you are able to provide housing that is physically safe and suitable. The check is carried out by a member of the assessment team.What should our references cover?You will be asked to provide the name of two unrelated people who have known you for at least two years and can comment on your experience and ability to care for children and your personal character. We may also speak to other people who have contact with you.What does the criminal check involve?When you have completed a formal application to become a foster carer (not justregistered your interest), with your permission, our agency checks the criminalrecord of all people in your household 16 years or above. Having a criminal record does not automatically disqualify you or a family member from being a carer family.However, any criminal convictions that affect your ability to care safely for a child oryoung person will mean your application is not able to proceed.Specifically you will be asked to:•make a Prohibited Employment Declaration that you have not been convicted of any serious sex offence which prohibits you from applying to be a foster carer •consent to check to allow screening of your criminal and work record in relation to sexual misconduct and acts of violence involving childrenFor more information please visit www.kids.nsw.gov.au/kids/check.Can I appeal if my application to be a foster care is not approved by your agency?Yes. You are entitled to be given reasons why your application has been rejectedand have the decision reviewed. You are entitled to see all the material collectedin the process of assessment, except for personal references which may be treated as confidential.
