Research on building design to support young people in residential care

15 July 2025
youth
Monash University’s Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research (ISCRR) was engaged by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) to undertake a research study on the building design of residential care homes.

The research study, conducted between June 2023 and December 2024, comprised a literature review examining best practice building design trends for residential and therapeutic care and interviews with young people with lived experience of residential care, residential care providers and subject matter experts on building design in residential care.

The research makes 6 key findings including the benefits of the two-bed model of residential care in improving therapeutic outcomes and reducing risks of occupational violence and aggression. The findings highlight the role of trauma informed design principles that promote safety, connection, comfort and choice for children and young people and improved data and monitoring to help inform building design and contribute to a therapeutic and safe work environment.

An infographic, developed to share the findings of the research, is available to residential care providers.