To receive important alerts and updates from Gold Coast Primary Health Network, please submit the form below.
To receive important alerts and updates from Gold Coast Primary Health Network, please submit the form below.
Children and young people typically enter OOHC because they have experienced abuse or neglect and require a more protective and stable environment. They are more likely to have unrecognised and/or unmet complex health needs (poorer physical, mental, and developmental health), be socially and economically disadvantaged, and have very limited access to health resources.
If you are a carer or assist/work with a child or young person in OOHC, you can aid in significantly improving their health outcomes by enabling them to receive:
Click on the handbook image above to read more on how these objectives can be achieved.
The Gold Coast Primary Health Network (GCPHN) has developed an OOHC Health Assessment Pathway. Within the health sector, the term ‘pathway’ typically refers to the journey taken for a person to achieve a desired health outcome. Therefore, the OOHC Health Assessment Pathway was created to assist those who engage with children and young people in OOHC to ultimately improve the child/young person’s health outcomes. This is achieved through early identification and treatment of any potential health concerns, whether physical, mental or developmental.
To learn about and better understand the OOHC Health Assessment Pathway, we have developed an Out-of-Home Care Health Assessment Handbook which describes the roles of those involved in the pathway, such as the carer, GP, teacher, Child Safety Officer, etc.
Child/young person-centred services
The Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) is a resource to be completed by carers (for children/young people aged 0-8yrs) and provided to GPs at appointments for Preliminary Health Checks and Comprehensive Health and Developmental Assessments
The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a resource to be completed by carers (for children/young people aged 2-17yrs) and provided to GPs at appointments for Preliminary Health Checks and Comprehensive Health and Developmental Assessments
Kalwun provides culturally safe integrated services including medical, social and emotional wellbeing, allied health, dental, specialists, community health and family programs.
Community Child Health provides a range of community services including: Early Childhood Service (0-8yrs); School Based Youth Health Nurse Program; Child Development Service (CDS); Immunisation; and Oral Health. Their specialist clinical teams offer: health and developmental checks; feeding and nutritional support/information; education and support groups; parenting interventions to enhance parenting; hearing assessment and referral (four years and over); and information and advice for parents for healthcare referrals.
Child and Youth Mental Health Service offers free and confidential specialist mental health service for children and young people (<26yrs) in the Gold Coast.
Head to Health Assessment and Referral Phone Service provides initial clinical assessment (where required) and service navigation to connect people to the most appropriate mental health services.
Early Childhood Approach is a NDIS program for children younger than 7yrs with a disability or a developmental delay, and their families.
CREATE Foundation is a national peak body representing the voices of children and young people in out-of-home care, providing programs and services that connect and empower children/young people with a care experience.
Act for Kids provides professional therapy and support services to children and families who have experienced or are at risk of harm.
Hopes is a free counselling service for children/young people under 18 years, who have experienced abuse (sexual, physical or emotional) and/or neglect.
Evolve Therapeutic Service (ETS) (<18 years) – provides intensive mental health interventions to children/young people in out-of-home care (birth to 18 yrs) with extreme and complex therapeutic needs. Contact Child Safety Officer for referral to this service.
Carer-centred services
Queensland Foster and Kinship Care is Queensland’s peak agency representing, advocating and supporting foster and kinship carers and children and young people in OOHC. They provide: information; training; advice; and assistance with administrative and legal processes.
Connecting with Carers portal is a Qld Government webpage providing various resources for carers.
Looking after yourself is a Carer Gateway webpage dedicated to carer health and wellbeing.
Carers Queensland provides a range of specialised carer and disability support services, including: Disability Support; Carer Program; Guardianship and Advocacy; Mental Health; Your Caring Way (employment services); and No Interest Loans.
Head to Health Assessment and Referral Phone Service provides initial clinical assessment (where required) and service navigation to connect people to the most appropriate mental health services.
The Out-of-Home Care Toolbox provides easily accessible and effective information for the supporters and carers of young people (12–18rs) in OOHC.
Financial Information
If you require any additional support, please contact:
Gold Coast Health Liaison Officer
GoldCoastHLO@cyjma.qld.gov.au
0436 653 764
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