Collaborative approach to health care needs of children in out of home care recognised

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Mildura Rural City Council, Mildura Base Public Hospital, and Sunraysia Community Health Services were the proud recipients of the Robin Clark Making a Difference Award at the 2024 Protecting Children Awards. This award is in recognition of the Integrated Health Systems for Children in Out of Home Care Project.

The Project, worked collaboratively with health and community sector organisations across the local out-of-home care service system in the Mildura local government area with the collective aim of ensuring that healthcare for children and young people in out-of-home care is both equitable and efficient.

For many children, their parents act as their health navigator, managing appointments, advocating for their health, and holding records. The purpose of this project was to collectively intervene across the local out of home care service systems to improve the way the system functions in response to health care needs of children and young people in OOHC in the Mildura LGA.       

Throughout the project’s implementation, 56 children aged 0-6 years and their siblings received support. This included facilitating their healthcare appointments, advocating for their health needs, and ensuring that each child’s health information was properly documented and accessible.

Looking ahead, children in out-of-home care will continue to benefit from coordinated healthcare support through the Pathways to Good Health initiative, which builds on the foundations established by this project.

Pictured: Rachel Fuller (The Family & Child Hub, SCHS) Jacinta Molloy (Health Navigator in the project, and is now part of the Pathway to Good Health team at SCHS), Renee Ficarra (DFFH, Community Partnerships team) and Cheree Jukes (MRCC).