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05-Aug-2026 | Housing & Homelessness

The Hon Alice Rolls MP Connects with SYC’s Specialised Residential Care Team

We were delighted to welcome South Australia's Minister for Child Protection and Minister for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, the Hon Alice Rolls MP, to our head office for an opportunity to connect with staff and learn more about SYC’s Specialised Residential Care program.

For many years, SYC has been committed to delivering therapeutic residential care that recognises the impact of trauma while building on the strengths, potential and aspirations of each child and young person. We have played a key role in continuing to strengthen approaches that recognise the importance of individualised, relationship-based and holistic care.

Today, our dedicated team continues this legacy, supporting young people through a therapeutic model that prioritises their psychological and emotional wellbeing. This work is complex and often challenging, but we remain committed to supporting each child and young person with compassion, consistency and care.

SYC owns and operates this service across five homes in Adelaide and one in the Barossa, providing safe, stable and therapeutic home environments for the children and young people who live there.

The visit reflected the importance of strong partnerships in creating positive outcomes for children and young people. As a trusted partner, we welcomed the opportunity to share our experience, showcase our therapeutic approach, and discuss the evolving needs of children and young people in care.

Recent growth within our Specialised Residential Care program, including the commissioning of two new homes, reflects our ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of children and young people requiring therapeutic residential care across South Australia. This expansion of the program, now totalling eight homes, has enabled us to provide safe, stable and responsive environments for more young people.

Throughout the visit, Minister Rolls spoke with our Out of Home Care Program Manager, gaining insight into the dedication, expertise and compassion that underpin the support provided to young people every day. The visit provided an opportunity to discuss the value of collaboration and the role strong partnerships play in delivering safe and responsive care environments. By sharing knowledge and experiences, we can continue to strengthen services and improve outcomes for children and young people across South Australia.

Kiara Kerr, Chief Operating Officer - Community Services, spoke to the importance of ongoing collaboration between government and service providers.

“Every child and young person deserves the opportunity to feel safe, build trusted relationships and experience the stability they need to grow and thrive. We appreciated the opportunity to share both the strengths and complexities of therapeutic residential care with Minister Rolls and to discuss how government and providers can continue working together to strengthen outcomes for children and young people. Meaningful change happens through genuine partnership, a willingness to learn from one another and a shared commitment to continually improving the system of care.”

Felicia Hanlon, Out of Home Care Manager, said the team's ability to have their experiences shared directly with the Minister was a meaningful part of the visit.

"Our staff are passionate advocates for the young people they support and appreciated the opportunity to have their experiences shared with the Minister. It was encouraging to see such a genuine interest in understanding both the challenges and successes of our work."

We thank Minister Rolls for taking the time to visit our team. Through strong partnerships, we can continue working together to support children and young people to feel safe, connected and empowered to shape their own futures.