What is the Out of Home Care Pathway Program?
Out of Home Care (OOHC) Health Pathway Program is an initiative of NSW Health and the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ).
The program provides health assessments for children and young people entering statutory out-of-home care who are expected to remain in care for more than 90 days.
Eligibility and referrals
The health pathway has been open to children and young people aged between 0 and 17 years entering statutory out-of-home care since 1 July 2010.
The children and young people must have an interim order with parental responsibility to the Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services, and must be likely to remain in care for longer than 90 days.
Referrals for an OOHC health assessment can only be made by DCJ.
Why are children/young people entering OOHC offered health assessments?
Children and young people in OOHC often have high health needs that are unmet and generally are more likely to have experienced disadvantage and vulnerability than other children.
They often have complex physical, social-emotional, developmental and sometimes mental health needs, and require different types of health assessment.
What can I expect?
Carers will be contacted by a health staff member from the local area to organise a primary health screen or assessment after the child/young person enters care.
Primary screening and assessments are undertaken by a range of healthcare providers, including general practitioners (GPs), Aboriginal Medical Services and child and family health nurses.
Based on the finding of the primary health assessment, children and young people may then be referred for a comprehensive multi-disciplinary health assessment.
Once the assessment process is completed, a Health Management Plan will be developed for the child/young person. This will include information about the results of assessments, treatment and health services required and when reviews are due.
Immediate medical concerns and your GP
The OOHC health assessments do not replace the services offered by your GP. If a child/young person in your care is unwell or injured or you think they have other medical issues, please seek medical attention.
Out of Home Care Health Pathway Program coordinators contact details
Each Local Health District has an OOHC Health Pathway Program Coordinator who is responsible for coordinating referrals, assessments and reviews across all facilities in their districts.
Central Coast Local Health District
Phone: (02) 4367 9614
Email: cclhd-oohc@health.nsw.gov.au
Postal address: 169 The Entrance Road, Erina NSW 2250
Far West Local Health District
Phone: (08) 8080 1100
Email: fwlhd-oohc@health.nsw.gov.au
Postal address: PO Box 457, Broken Hill NSW 2880
Hunter New England Local Health District
Phone: (02) 6764 8062
Email: hnelhd-oohcintake@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
Postal address: Locked Bag 9783, Tamworth NEMSC 2348
Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District
Phone: (02) 4224 2900
Email: islhd-oohc@health.nsw.gov.au
Postal address: 42a Porter Street North Wollongong NSW 2500
Mid North Coast Local Health District
Phone: (02) 6589 2578
Email: mnclhd-oohchealthadmin@health.nsw.gov.au
Postal address: PO Box 126, Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Murrumbidgee Local Health District
Phone: (02) 6058 1702
Email: mlhd-outofhomecare@health.nsw.gov.au
Postal address: 84-86 Murray Street, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District
Phone: (02) 4730 5100
Email: nbmlhd-oohcreferrals@health.nsw.gov.au
Postal address: Cranebrook Community Health Centre, Cnr Laycock St and Borrowdale Way
Cranebrook NSW 2749
North Sydney Local Health District
Phone: 02 9462 9271
Email: nslhd-oohcintake@health.nsw.gov.au
Postal address: RNS Community Health Centre, Level 2, 2C Herbert St, St Leonards NSW 2065
Northern NSW Local Health District
Phone: (02) 6603 0922
Email: nnswlhd-outofhomecare@health.nsw.gov.au
Postal address: Yamba Community Health, 3 Roberts Close, Yamba NSW 2464
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District & Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick
Phone: (02) 93828690
Email: seslhd-soohc@health.nsw.gov.au
Postal address: Caringbah Community Health Centre, Locked Bag 21, Taren Point NSW 2229
Southern NSW Local Health District
Phone: (02) 4824 1813
Email: snswlhd-oohc@health.nsw.gov.au
Postal address: PO Box 274, Goulburn NSW 2580
South Western Sydney Local Health District
Phone: (02) 46403500
Email: swslhd-oohchealthreferral@health.nsw.gov.au
Postal address: Narellan Community Health Centre, 14 Queen St, Narellan NSW 2567
Sydney Local Health District
Phone: (02) 9378 1112
Email: slhd-oohcintake@health.nsw.gov.au
Postal address: Croydon Community Health Centre, 24 Liverpool Road, Croydon NSW 2132
Western NSW Local Health District
Phone: 0457 099 204
Email: wnswlhd-outofhomecare@health.nsw.gov.au
Postal address: PO Box 84, Lightning Ridge NSW 2843
Western Sydney Local Health District
Phone: (02) 9881 1200
Email: wslhd-oohchealthassessments@health.nsw.gov.au
Postal address: Mt Druitt Community Health Services, Corner Buran and Kelly Close, Mt Druitt NSW 2770
