The new model for In Home Care

After months of planning and preparation the new Child Care Subsidy has landed and is now in effect. It's been hard to miss all the publicity and hype around this change to the system, which has been the biggest reform since the introduction of the now defunct Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate in 2000.

What you may not be aware of is that 2 July also heralded the start of the refined In Home Care (IHC) Program, which, according to the government, provides flexible care that supports families' workforce participation and child care requirements where other options are unavailable or inappropriate.

People eligible for the IHC Program may include families:

• with parents or carers who work non-standard or variable hours
• which are geographically isolated from other types of care particularly in rural or remote areas
• experiencing challenging or complex situations whose needs can’t be met by other child care services

The new IHC Program replaces the current in-home care service and the Nanny Pilot Programme, which wasn't very successful and experienced low uptake rates due to barriers to entry and cost issues.

The government says the new program will improve consistency in service delivery and provide more equitable distribution of places for child care delivered in the family home.

The program is highly targeted and care will only be available to families who need it the most, with a focus on the provision of high quality education and care services by qualified early childhood educators.

IHC services will be delivered through a brokerage model of IHC Support Agencies that will advocate for families, particularly those with complex and challenging circumstances, to help them source the care that best meets their needs.

IHC Support Agencies will be the primary conduit between families and services, while increasing assurance in the care type and supporting national consistency in program delivery. You can view details on IHC Support Agencies here.

According to the government, IHC Support Agencies are now in place to service each state and territory and distribute places to Child Care Subsidy approved services.

Around 3000 places will be available throughout Australia, and support will be provided to families currently receiving In Home Care as they transition to the new service type or other suitable care arrangements.

The government says the design of the new In Home Care model was based on findings from a review of old In Home Care arrangements, an evaluation of the Nanny Pilot Programme, and feedback from families, services and other key stakeholders.

Visit the Department of Education website for full details and to learn how educators can apply to be part of the new IHC program.

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Resources:

In Home Care National Guidelines
In Home Care Handbook
IHC Service Webcast Information Session