ZOE Restorative CarersZOE Restorative Carers

ZOE protects the identity and dignity of children and does not show trafficked children.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you.
As a foster or kinship carer,
you are making a huge difference in a child's life."

If you would like to learn more about the ZOE Restorative Care Model in Australia, please read the information below and register your interest.

Many carers never get to journey alongside children long enough to see them heal and thrive. We understand—it is challenging to provide care. Once, an "expert" told one of our team that children from backgrounds of trauma don’t heal. Thankfully, our experience has been the exact opposite.

Though some days are incredibly hard, we keep trying—day after day—and we see children’s lives forever changed. We have been doing this long enough to witness true transformation. In our work overseas, we have seen children finish school, graduate university, get married, and start their own families.

Now, ZOE is inviting people to join us in building a new model of care in Australia—one that not only supports children but also cares for and empowers you as their carer.

Introducing the ZOE
Restorative Care Model

Currently, ZOE is building a new Restorative Care Model for children aged 12 years old and younger.  We believe that early intervention can provide stability, love, support and build strong relationships that can help children to journey into adulthood.  We are also seeing that children who have experienced trauma at a young age are difficult to place in traditional foster care programs.  These young children are instead placed in “Contingency Arrangements” or residential care units supervised by rotating staff. 

The ZOE model is based on our years of experience working with children in other nations.  ZOE is inviting you to go on a journey with us to do something impossible! 

We are trying to build and pilot a new model of care for children.

Before you complete the
Expression of Interest we need to ask you:

Are you an experienced foster or kinship carer?
Are you experienced in working with children from trauma backgrounds?
Do you want to be a part of a Christian organisation?
Do you want to be closely supported by a team?
Are you interested in a new way to provide care for a child in your home?

Our model is about fully supporting carers
so that you and your family thrive.

Our carers are paid staff members who are employed as Restorative Carers. A ZOE Restorative Carer is someone whose passion and profession are seamlessly intertwined. They are:

Experienced:
With at least 3 years of experience in caring for children in out-of-home care or a proven history of supporting children who have experienced trauma.

Qualified:
Holding relevant qualifications and having completed both trauma-informed training and specialised ZOE training.

Supported:
Committed to collaborating with other ZOE teams, social workers, and approved volunteers to support their role as a carer.

Valued:
Recognised for their role and compensated with a salary from ZOE.

Consistent:
Providing care within a nurturing home environment that is consistent and stable for child survivors to heal, grow and flourish.

Connected:
Actively engaged in a community that will help a child to build supportive, long-term relationships.

Accountable:
Dedicated to maintaining high standards and continually participating in ongoing training and development.

What are the core foundations
of the ZOE Restorative Care Model?

ZOE’s Restorative Care Model is built upon four core foundations, that are:

Relationships and connections - the ‘hub’

Children need communities and connections, it is pivotal for their recovery. Our central ‘hub’ is designed as a place of connection for children, their Restorative Carer’s and to facilitate relationships, learning, fun and connection to other communities and opportunities to develop and grow.

Restorative Carers

These are dedicated and remunerated carers whose passion and profession are interwoven and will provide stable, safe and supportive relationships.

Multidisciplinary Team 

A specialised team offering professional, practical and relational support to empower Restorative Carers in providing care for children and meeting each child's needs.

Streams of Support

Healing from trauma is not linear. Our ‘Streams of Support’ illustrates that though children will heal, the process is not linear and so children and carers will likely move between high and low levels of support.

Want to register to become
a ZOE Restorative Carer?

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ZOE’s Restorative Care (ZRC) Model Overview 

The ZRC model is based on ZOE’s work globally, which began in Thailand in 2003 and in the USA in 2021, and is now being contextualised for Australia. It incorporates evidence and learning from trust-based relational intervention and other practices derived from trauma-informed and therapeutic care. 

This new therapeutic home based care model is for children under 12 years old who have experienced high levels of trauma.

Want to register to become
a ZOE Restorative Carer?

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What is a ZOE Restorative Carer?

Restorative Carers are central to the relationship foundation for children, helping to establish safe, nurturing, and stable connections that support healing from the impacts of trauma.

Restorative Carers are salaried staff employed to provide full-time care for children and young people in their own home. ZOE recognises that relationships are at the heart of healing, and nurturing these connections requires both support and time. This is made possible by assigning dedicated carers who are equipped, trained, and supported, allowing them to focus solely on the needs of the child without competing demands. This focused approach enables carers to respond effectively to the needs of children with significant trauma.

Employing dedicated Restorative Carers ensures consistency for the child, fosters a sense of value and connection within the team. This will strengthen the relationships essential for the healing journey of the child. For children to receive the best care, their support network must also be healthy, strong and supported. 

By engaging committed and appropriately remunerated Restorative Carers, ZOE promotes accountability, upholds high standards, and facilitates ongoing training and development for carers.

Want to register to become
a ZOE Restorative Carer?

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Where do ZOE Restorative Carers live?

ZOE Restorative Carers live in their own home. A family home is the best place to facilitate authentic and real connection and to provide stability, safety and a genuine supportive relationship. 

Currently ZOE are looking for Restorative Carers located in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

You can register your interest even if you are not in the Eastern suburbs.

Want to register to become
a ZOE Restorative Carer?

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What is the Multidisciplinary Team that supports ZOE Restorative Carers?

ZOE’s multidisciplinary team collaborates closely with Restorative Carers, offering professional, practical, and relational support to help them care for children on their pathway to restoration and healing.

The program consists of the following roles:

Care Coordinator: oversees the hub and multidisciplinary team.
Social Worker: supports the Restorative Carers and child/young person in their healing journey through practical support, advocacy, case management, information, referrals and connections with the community.
Therapeutic Specialist: supports the child/young person in their healing and recovery from trauma by providing therapeutic care, assessments, advice and recommendations. Furthermore facilitate the development of training and workshops for Restorative Carers in their caring role, informed by best practice and evidence based principles.  
Health & Wellbeing Nurse: supports the child/young person and Restorative Carers in their overall wellbeing and health, promotion of wellbeing activities and education, individualised assessments and support plans and practical support.  
Education Specialist: supports the child/young person in their learning development through individualised support, advocacy, collaboration with schools and education providers and development of workshops and training on life skills. 

Want to register to become part of the
ZOE Multi Disciplinary Team?

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What is the ‘hub’ and where is it located?

ZOE focuses on strengthening relationships, building meaningful connections and equipping carers with ongoing skills to support each child’s recovery and development. The central "hub" is a dedicated space designed to foster healing, growth and connection, providing comprehensive support for children and their Restorative Carers. Recognising that children thrive within strong connections, the hub is purpose-driven to facilitate lasting relationships, offering a safe and inclusive environment where both children and caregivers can connect, learn, and grow.

At its core, the hub provides a range of essential services tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and family. Services include family assistance, educational support, life skills development, and customised learning opportunities that support children’s personal and academic growth. Resources are available to address individual needs, with ongoing training provided to ensure that Restorative Carers are well-equipped to guide children through their journey of recovery. In times of crisis, the hub also offers emergency and overnight accommodation, ensuring a stable and safe place for those in need. The hub serves as the base for ZOE’s multidisciplinary team (MDT) to work closely with Restorative Carers to offer holistic support. 

Through therapeutic support—both individual and family-based—educational resources, life skills, mentorship, and case management, the hub is a place where meaningful connections are nurtured. Children and their carers can participate in workshops, tailored learning opportunities, and mentoring activities that equip them with valuable skills and build resilience. Events and activities within the hub foster a sense of belonging and community, reinforcing the idea that children need connection to thrive.

The hub location is based on the location of the ZOE Restorative Carers. It is positioned to be accessible to our Restorative Carers.

Want to register to become
a ZOE Restorative Carer?

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