SSRC in NSW: A Parent’s Guide to Substitute Residential Care

Caring for a child with disability is full of love, and it can also be exhausting. Many parents reach a point where they need support but feel guilty asking for it,or simply don’t know what’s available. This guide explains specialised substitute residential care (SSRC) in simple language, so you can decide whether it’s right for your family.

What is SSRC?

SSRC is care for a child or young person with disability in a home outside the family home, provided by a registered organisation, while parents remain the child’s parents in every sense. It is a voluntary arrangement: families choose it, stay involved and keep making decisions about their child’s life.
In NSW, organisations that provide this care must be registered with the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) and meet the NSW Child Safe Standards. That means safety, screening and
accountability are built into how the service has to run.

What SSRC is not

It is not foster care. Parents keep parental responsibility.
It is not a hospital or an institution. A good SSRC home feels like a home, with routines, outings and
familiar faces.
It is not giving up. Many families use SSRC so they can keep caring well over the long term.

Who SSRC is for

SSRC supports children and teens under 18 with disability, and the families who love them. Families commonly look at SSRC when:

• A parent needs surgery, hospital treatment or time to recover.
• Caring around the clock is affecting a parent’s health, work or other children.
• A young person needs more support than the family home can safely give right now.
• A family is going through a crisis, a move or another big transition.
• A teenager is ready to build independence skills before adulthood.

Support coordinators also play a big part. If you’re a coordinator, SSRC can be the bridge that keeps a family together while a longer-term plan is worked out.

How SSRC works, step by step

1. A first conversation

You call or email a provider and talk through your situation. A good provider listens first and doesn’t pressure you to commit.

2. Getting to know your child

The team learns about your child’s needs, routines, communication style, likes and dislikes. This becomes a written support plan, developed with you and, where relevant, therapists and your support coordinator.

3. Funding and paperwork

Disability supports are generally funded through your child’s NDIS plan. Your provider and support coordinator should explain exactly which supports are funded, what any agreement covers and what happens if your situation changes.

4. Visiting the home

You and your child should always be able to see the home and meet the team before a stay begins.

5. The stay, and staying connected

Your child’s school, therapy and routines carry on. You get regular updates and can stay in touch, and you’re part of every review of how things are going.

How to choose an SSRC provider

This is the most important decision in the process. Ask every provider these questions:

• Are you registered with the OCG and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission? Ask to see evidence.
• Will my child see the same staff each time? Consistency builds trust.
• What checks and training do your staff have? Look for Working With Children Checks, NDIS Worker Screening, First Aid and trauma-informed training.
• How do you support behaviours of concern? Look for positive behaviour support and clinical oversight, with restrictive practices used only as a last resort and in line with regulations.
• How will you keep me updated? You should know how and how often you’ll hear from them.
• How do I raise a concern or complaint? A good provider explains this clearly, including how children themselves can speak up.
• Can my child have a say? Children should be listened to about their own care, in a way that suits how they communicate.

Preparing your child for a stay

• Start small. Many families begin with a single overnight stay.
• Use visuals. Photos of the home and staff, a visual schedule or a social story can make a new place feel familiar.
• Pack comfort items. A favourite blanket, toy, music or snack goes a long way.
• Share the little things. How they like their toast, what calms them down, the song that helps at bedtime. These details matter.
• Look after yourself too. It’s normal to feel unsettled during the first stay. Ask the team to send you a photo or update early on.

Why choose Aligned Community Care?

Aligned Community Care is a registered NDIS provider and registered SSRC provider in NSW, based in Austral and supporting children, young people and adults with disability across Greater Sydney and Wollongong. Our work is guided by integrity, respect, collaboration and effectiveness, and we build every support around the person receiving it.

For children and teens, our SSRC service offers a safe, home-like place to stay with consistent staff, trauma-informed care, positive behaviour support and regular updates for families. We also provide Supported Independent Living (SIL), Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), community participation and Behaviour support, so families can grow with one provider they already trust.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SSRC the same as foster care?

No. SSRC is a voluntary arrangement. Parents keep parental responsibility and stay involved in decisions about their child.

Does SSRC cost families anything?

Disability supports are generally funded through the child’s NDIS plan. Ask your provider to explain exactly which supports are funded and whether any costs fall outside the plan.

Can my child keep going to the same school?

In most cases, yes. A good provider builds the stay around your child’s existing school, therapy and routines.