Child LightSaver Series – Episode I

Bringing light back into a child’s life after abuse or neglect.

GCPHN’s Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) Child LightSaver Series is an educational set of articles aimed at assisting general practice to navigate the OOHC Health Assessment Pathway, which is focuses on providing children and young people their required health assessments. Episode I provides an introduction to the OOHC Health Assessment Pathway and identifies the resources available to GPs and general practice. 

According to Children’s Health Queensland, nine out of ten children and young people in out-of-home care (OOHC) have unmet health needs. In response to the National Clinical Assessment Framework for Children and Young People in Out-of-Home Care, Gold Coast Primary Health Network (GCPHN) developed the OOHC Health Assessment Pathway to ensure children/young people in OOHC receive the following required assessments:  

1. A Preliminary Health Check, conducted within 30 days of a child/young person entering OOHC; and 
2. A Comprehensive Health and Developmental Assessment, conducted:  

• • within 90 days of a child/young person entering OOHC
  • every 6 months thereafter (if the child is under 5yrs old)
  • every 12 months thereafter (if the child/young person is 5yrs or older)

The following resources have been developed to assist general practice and other relevant stakeholders achieve the above assessments on time.  

Health Assessment Templates 

These templates were specifically developed for conducting Preliminary Health Checks and Comprehensive Health and Developmental Assessments as part of the OOHC Health Assessment Pathway. They are available via the Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service webpage found here. They can be uploaded into Best Practice or Medical Director software.   

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Check templates are available on the RACGP website and can be accessed here. 

Gold Coast Community HealthPathways 

A one-stop shop for GPs to conduct the required health assessments for children in OOHC, inclusive of clinical guidance, referral information and numerous resources. This is accessible here.  

OOHC Health Assessment Handbook 

Outlines the roles of GPs and general practice in achieving the OOHC Health Assessment Pathway objectives, in addition to information regarding the roles of other relevant stakeholders. This is accessible here. 

General Practice Guide (OOHC Health Assessment Pathway) 

Provides general practice with a timeline of the pathway and information relevant to each stage and staff members role. This is accessible here. 

ACCHO User Guide – (OOHC Health Assessment Pathway)
Provides ACCHOs with a timeline of the pathway and information relevant to each stage and staff members role. This is accessible here. 

If you require any additional support, please contact:
Gold Coast Health Liaison Officer
GoldCoastHLO@cyjma.qld.gov.au 
0436 653 764