Our Programs

We provide accommodation for young people in unidentifiable suburban homes – where they receive wrap-around intensive support 24/7, coupled with the professional counselling and a tailored program of therapies and education programs that will meet their long-term needs. This is a comprehensive, planned approach – tailored for each person’s need – not just a matter of haphazardly throwing a few services and untried programs at them.

The program supports the young people within all dimensions of their lives, and may start with what, for us, are simple things – like learning the practicalities of feeding, clothing, socialising and educating. It also includes health, education, self-identity, relationships, social skills, emotional development and self-care.

The strength of the program lies in its commitment to community and family values

But this doesn’t come without strings attached. We need buy-in from the young people to be successful.

Before being accepted, the young people agree to undertake psycho-social screening with a Lighthouse psychologist, be willing to attend counselling, to work with others and learn to manage their substance abuse (which may be with prescription drugs), establish a mental health plan and commit to creating for themselves, an Individual Development Plan.

And underpinning all this is the long-term love, nurturing and caring that Lighthouse is known for.

But these outcomes are not easy.

And it takes time – anywhere between 6 months and 2 years is normal.

From the young people, it takes enormous courage to work through the memories of a traumatic and neglected life. From the Lighthouse carers, it requires uncommon passion, generosity and dedication. But, together, we get there.

It is our ultimate goal that every young person’s potential is realised. And that a young person who might have been a symbol of society’s failings, instead becomes a lighthouse of hope for others.

Lighthouse delivers four programs as part of the Lighthouse Model of Care, known the Lighthouse Foundation Therapeutic Family Model of Care (TFMC).

1. The Live in Care Program - young people learn more
2. The Live in Care Program – young Mothers and Babies program learn more
3. The Adult Community Transition Program – ACT learn more
4. The Lighthouse Aftercare and Outreach Program learn more
5. The Psychological Wellness Program learn more

To deliver these programs, the Lighthouse Care Services Management is made up of three teams who work together

* Psychological Wellness Team
* Community Care Team
* Carers Team – made up of senior, primary, secondary and respite carers.

The TFMC Live in Care Program is the core program of Lighthouse. It is delivered in nine locations across Victoria, including the young Mothers and Babies program.

It is based on two carers (with respite carers covering annual and other leave) who provide integrated care to four young people with complex needs, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the same ‘ideal family’ home setting. The carers are supported by the Lighthouse Psychological Wellness Team, the Community Care Team and the Residential Care Manager.

As part of this Program, short-term programs such as Anger Management, ‘I Can Cope’ and Art Therapy are conducted to meet the needs of individual young people.

The TFMC Live in Care Program for young Mothers and Babies is a pilot program being conducted during 2010/2011. It contains the same elements of the core Live in Care Program, with the added distinction that the carers and Psychological Wellness Team support up to three young mothers and their infants. Additional post and ante natal support is provided in partnership with Connections UnitingCare ‘Starting Out’ Program.

The Adult Community Transition (ACT) Program provides a safe environment for young people who are ‘almost ready’ for independent living. Up to five young people reside in a large house, with one of them holding the ‘lead tenant’ role. ACT Program is supported by the Psychological Wellness Team as well as the Community Care Team. The lead tenant gains youth work qualifications through the LIGHT Program (Lighthouse Internship and Graduate Holistic Training).

The Aftercare and Outreach Program is provided by the Community Care Team. Young people who have transitioned from the Live in Care or ACT programs are supported in their ‘independent’ or ‘interdependent’ living situations. The Community Care Team provides the practical and moral support necessary for these young people to make their transition into independent living successful. Sustainability is achieved by the ongoing outreach offered by Lighthouse for the young people as their needs change.

The Psychological Wellness Program relies on the support of a professional team of psychologists to provide psycho-therapeutic and psycho-educational support to Lighthouse young people. The Psychological Wellness Program’s major focus is on providing this crucial support to young people, as well as providing training and support to carers, to facilitate their therapeutic work with the young people. The team is also responsible for the psychological wellbeing of Lighthouse community members, and as such plays an active role in monitoring the wellbeing of community members, and develops programs to promote a healthy community.

Click here to download the Lighthouse Intake Referral Form

Click here to download the Lighthouse Mother Baby Referral Form