Adult Community Residential Mental Health

What we do

We have a number of residential community options to assist people in their recovery. These include:

Alma Road Community Care Unit (ARCC)

ARCC provides a medium-term residential rehabilitation program for up to 14 people. The site has shared and self-contained units. It has 24-hour on-site clinical support and case management.

Team members include:

• Consultant psychiatrist and psychiatric registrar
• Nurses
• Occupational therapists
• Psychologist
• Social worker
• Consumer peer worker
• Exercise physiologist
• Music and art therapists

We can also refer you to an employment consultant, dietitian or other services as needed.

Prevention and Recovery Care Unit (PARC)

PARC is a 10-bed unit that we manage with our partners, ermha365, who specialise in complex mental health and disability support work. We deliver a psychosocial recovery-orientated program in a safe home-like environment.

PARC provides care and support to people during the early stages of relapse (called step-up) and immediately post-discharge from hospital (called step-down).

Clinical support is provided 7 days a week with ermha365 providing 24-hour on-site support. 

Who we care for

ARCC and PARC care is available to clients who are currently part of the Alfred Mental and Addiction Health service and in the following categories:

• Are aged 18 years and over
• Live in the inner south of Melbourne
• Require residential rehabilitation services

PARC also delivers care to clients of Star Health Community Health Service's Mental Health Program.

What to expect

Our programs are based on the principles of recovery-oriented practice.

Recovery-oriented practice means:

• We encourage self-determination and self-management of people’s mental health and wellbeing
• Our program involves tailored, personalised, strengths-based care that is responsive to people’s unique strengths, circumstances, needs and preferences
• We support people to define their goals, wishes and aspirations
• We use an approach to working with people that addresses a range of factors that impact their wellbeing, such as housing, education and employment, family and social relationships
• We support people’s right to social inclusion, community participation and citizenship

We will work with you to help:

• Assist you in self-management of your illness to improve your quality of life
• Reduce the need for an in-patient admission to hospital
• Improve your skills and independence
• Assist you in identifying goals and aspirations for the future
• Keep in touch with your family, friends and carers
• Participate in local community activities to promote social inclusion

Commonly asked questions