The Needs-Based Restorative Framework guides the work of Allambi Care’s staff and volunteers including Intensive Therapeutic (Residential) Care staff, foster carers, family support staff, caseworkers and clinicians. The framework is based on our commitment to respond to the multiple needs of people rather than requiring them to adjust to a pre-determined service model. It applies whether they are living in the community with families or peers or are being supported in out of home care. There are three core components of the framework. The central focus is on the normal and shared developmental needs of all people and the defining features of healthy growth as defined in the Circle of Courage.
In addition to the individual’s health and wellbeing, this perspective encourages staff to understand the person’s developmental context - their families, schools, workplaces, peers and communities and thus to support their quest for a healthy, contributing and fulfilling life. In this sense, the framework is weighted towards normal shared needs, strengths and positive futures rather than on what has gone wrong in the past.
Given the majority of people Allambi supports have experienced severe adversity and trauma, the second major element of the framework is on understanding and responding to trauma-related needs. It is assumed that most people we support have been exposed to early adversity and developmental trauma while some have experienced specific traumatising events in later years. Three core trauma-related needs are identified, and these inform the way our carers and staff are trained as well as our responses to individuals and families.
The third element of the framework is that of individually assessed needs. Some individuals are referred to Allambi with specific developmental disorders, mental health concerns, or specific behavioural concerns. These issues require in-depth assessment and tailored intervention plans.
As this is a framework rather than a rigid intervention model, it can accommodate a variety of tools, strategies, and techniques as long as these are compatible with the principles of the framework and can be shown to meet the needs of individuals. The three elements of the framework inform Allambi’s ongoing training program for staff, the structure and content of staff meetings, the supervision and reflective practice models provided, as well as the development of individual case plans.
In addition to the individual’s health and wellbeing, this perspective encourages staff to understand the person’s developmental context - their families, schools, workplaces, peers and communities and thus to support their quest for a healthy, contributing and fulfilling life. In this sense, the framework is weighted towards normal shared needs, strengths and positive futures rather than on what has gone wrong in the past.
Given the majority of people Allambi supports have experienced severe adversity and trauma, the second major element of the framework is on understanding and responding to trauma-related needs. It is assumed that most people we support have been exposed to early adversity and developmental trauma while some have experienced specific traumatising events in later years. Three core trauma-related needs are identified, and these inform the way our carers and staff are trained as well as our responses to individuals and families.
The third element of the framework is that of individually assessed needs. Some individuals are referred to Allambi with specific developmental disorders, mental health concerns, or specific behavioural concerns. These issues require in-depth assessment and tailored intervention plans.
As this is a framework rather than a rigid intervention model, it can accommodate a variety of tools, strategies, and techniques as long as these are compatible with the principles of the framework and can be shown to meet the needs of individuals. The three elements of the framework inform Allambi’s ongoing training program for staff, the structure and content of staff meetings, the supervision and reflective practice models provided, as well as the development of individual case plans.