From 1943, Wanslea provided residential care for children and young people who for various reasons were unable to live with their families.

At times in our history, we acknowledge with sorrow and deep regret some children and young people in our care were mistreated and neglected. To those who did not receive the best quality care, and to those who may have experienced abuse whilst under our care, we offer you our most sincere regret and heartfelt apology.

Such failures as those in Wanslea’s past must never be allowed to happen again.

The Wanslea of today is very different to the past.

We are dedicated to best practice child safety and continually improving our practices. Today, we have strong systems, policies and processes in place to protect the children and young people we serve such as thorough staff and volunteer  screening, ongoing training and supervision, involving children and young people in decisions that affect them and we have multiple ways people can report concerns or provide feedback to our organisation.

Wanslea has joined the National Redress Scheme that supports people who have experienced institutional childhood sexual abuse. The Scheme was created in response to the Royal Commission into Institutionalised Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and is open to applications until June 2028.

We acknowledge the pain and suffering of people who have experienced sexual abuse as children in care and if the harm occurred during time spent with Wanslea, offer our deepest regret that this has happened. Our hope is that participation in the Scheme will go some way to assisting with healing the hurt that has been caused. For information about the National Redress Scheme visit www.nationalredress.gov.au or call the National Redress Information Line on 1800 737 377.

If you need immediate support, the following organisations are here to help:

 • Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636

• Lifeline – 13 11 14

• 1800 Respect – 1800 737 732

• Mensline – 1300 78 99 78

• Tuart Place – 1800 619 795