Youth Step Up Step Down Service
The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service has partnered with Aftercare to establish Queensland’s first Youth Step Up Step Down Service (Youth SUSD).
Who will use the facility?
The Youth Step Up Step Down Service is a community bed based mental health facility for young people aged between 16 and 21, providing support for mental health and wellbeing. It is designed for young people who may be experiencing periods of distress which may be linked to family breakup, trauma and mental health issues (e.g. depression and anxiety).
It is a six-bedroom short stay residential facility that provides a ‘home-like’ residential environment and more importantly, helps to maintain contact and support from a young person’s usual family/carers.
The average length of stay will be between 14 and 28 days. It will be fully supervised, with staff rostered 24 hours. per day.
What is Step Up Step Down Care?
Based on a successful model from Victoria, the facility will provide a step up step down model for young people requiring sub-acute mental health services. Step up care is required when a young person requires more support than can be provided at home or in their current residential setting. It is used to help prevent hospital admissions and maintain an environment which is similar to home and relies on intense professional community support. This model helps the individual in their recovery but also maintains their connection to their community supports with their usual care providers.
Stepping down is used to assist an early and seamless transition for young people when re-entering the community following an admission to hospital. The service provides an increased level of support in the transitional period when a young person may be vulnerable to further stress.
Who will be eligible?
Young people who:
- are aged between 16 and 21
- without early intervention, would likely need care in a hospital setting; or
- are in a hospital setting and who can be discharged to this facility for additional support prior to transitioning back into their usual community supports.
Who will run the facility?
Aftercare has been awarded a three year contract to deliver services at the Youth Step Up Step Down facility in partnership with the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service. Aftercare has provided mental health support services for over 110 years, and provides a wide range of community, residential and integrated mental health services. Aftercare is a leading provider of 24-hour youth residential services, including in the Cairns region.
Consultation with community
The Health Service consulted residents and businesses with properties near the site prior to the facility being built and involved young people and other community members in the planning of this important new service.
