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Why specialised disability support is vital for children in out-of-home care

Dec 17, 2025

Over 40% of children in out-home-care, like foster, kinship or residential care, experience disability. This is a rate four times higher than in the general population.

The journey for children in the out-of-home care system is challenging and is even more complex when disability is a factor. Over 40% of children in out-home-care, like foster, kinship or residential care, experience disability. This is a rate four times higher than in the general population.  

Ollie* entered out-of-home care at nine-years-old.  He loves Pokémon and Spiderman and is very curious about the world. Yet, he is navigating the deep trauma of living in foster care, while also navigating the complexities of an autism diagnosis and a limb difference. 

Ollie’s case manager, Pauline* shared that Ollie's deep confusion over being removed from his parents, who exposed him to violence and drugs, was amplified by his neurodivergence and difficulty processing sensory information. 

His trauma manifested as challenging behaviours. This demonstrated a lack of specialised support that Ollie needed to communicate and regulate his overwhelmed nervous system.  

The complexities of tailored support in crisis

For many families supporting a child with disability, access to necessary supports can be overwhelming and incredibly time-consuming. To access vital NDIS services, assessments are often required – which can be expensive and requiring parental advocacy. The waiting lists for critical services can stretch for months. When a child is simultaneously dealing with the acute trauma of being removed from home, these gaps in disability support become devastating barriers to recovery and stability. 

Berry Street Yooralla’s mission is to bridge this gap. We help to provide the vital support that children need. This includes the therapeutic tools they need to function, communicate, recover from trauma and thrive. We specialise in integrating disability services with trauma-informed care. 

Dedicated and tailored support in action

To empower Ollie, his care team had to look at his behaviour through the lens of trauma and disability. This is why tailored support is essential. Our supporters help us to provide crucial services such as: 

  • Autism assessments and specialised behavioural therapy to help Ollie manage his emotional regulation and grow his communication skills.
  • Occupational therapy to assist him in building confidence and skills
  • Specialised training for his carers and teachers at his specialist school so they can understand his unique communication and emotional needs, allowing them to build on his strengths. 

Ollie has now found his confidence. His story demonstrates the power of a safe environment combined with the right specialised therapeutic tools. He is finally able to relax, engage in play, and begin to form secure attachments. 

Empowering a bright future

Our work directly addresses the complex needs of children with disability, helping them navigate the world around them. 

Our supporters help to provide children like Ollie with the specialised expertise necessary to help them thrive and go on to live their best lives.  

This Christmas, we are committed to ensuring every child with disability in our care receives the specialised resources needed to lead an empowered life. If you are looking for a meaningful way to give back this Christmas, please donate today.  

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