Accessibility of generic services to children with intellectual disability: An evaluation of shared family care

Abstract

This paper summarises one aspect of an evaluation of the Shared Family Care Service operating in the state of Victoria. The focus of this study is on accessibility of Shared Family Care to children with intellectual disabilities or developmental delay. The study found that children with a range of intellectual and multiple disabilities were being referred to the program and the eligibility and acceptance criteria used within the foster care agencies did not restrict access. Potential restrictions in accessibility of the service were noted in relation to regional/agency differences in sources of referral, and in the perceptions of regional Disability Service staff regarding the circumstances in which this service would be considered by them as an option when out-of-home care was required. However, the major factor found to be restricting access to the service was lack of caregivers for the children being referred.