Child and young people services in Hunter New England LHD
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) is a specialised service within Hunter New England Local Health District Mental Health Services. It offers assessment and treatment for young people up to 17 years old, or those still in school, who are facing complex or severe mental health issues. Services are available both in the community and in hospital settings. Wiyiliin Ta is a CAMHS community team providing culturally sensitive care for Aboriginal young people and their families.
CAMHS involves families in the assessment and treatment process. At the first assessment, the young person and one parent or carer must attend. Most young people seen by CAMHS have already tried treatment through a GP, private practitioner, or headspace without improvement.
CAMHS accepts referrals for young people at high risk or with complex needs, even if they haven't received community treatment.
CAMHS can help with:
- suicidal thoughts, attempts, or self-harm
- behaviour changes or reduced functioning from psychosis or major depression
- threats or harm to others or property
- severe eating disorders.
CAMHS may also assist with moderate issues like depression, anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, or complex PTSD if there are other factors like poor treatment response or complex family situations.
CAMHS typically doesn't address:
- Child protection, recent trauma, disability, autism, ADHD, substance use, gender identity, truancy, or brain injury unless linked to a significant mental health issue.
How to refer
Referrals can be made by the young person, their family, or health and education providers. Call the Mental Health Line at 1800 011 511, available 24 hours, 7 days.
NSW School-Link brings together education, health, and other stakeholders to support school-aged children in achieving good mental health and staying engaged in education. These services are provided by School-Link Coordinators.
Hunter New England Local Health District has School-Link Coordinators based in:
- Forster
- Tenterfield
- Wallsend.
They offer specialised services to Government, Catholic, Independent primary, high, central, and support schools in the region. Coordinators often collaborate with school counsellors, wellbeing staff, CAMHS clinicians, and TAFE counsellors to assist young people.
School staff can reach out to the HNE School-Link Coordinators at HNELHD-SchoolLink@health.nsw.gov.au for more information.
Got-It! (Getting on Track in Time!) is a school-based early intervention program provided by specialist Hunter New England Health clinicians in partnership with schools. As your child grows, it is common for them to have difficulties with their social skills, emotions and/or behaviour. Children need support from adults to help them learn important skills to regulate their emotions, get along with others and make good decisions. The Got-It! Team works with schools to support students to learn these foundational life skills, which in turn improves their relationships, wellbeing and success at school.
Got It! Teams have been working with families and schools across New South Wales since 2011. Evaluations have demonstrated positive outcomes and sustained change for families and schools engaging in the program. The Hunter New England Got-It! Team consists of Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and Psychologists.
The Got-It! Program includes four main components:
The Universal Program (Second Step)
Got-It! Teams train all K-2 teachers in Second Step, a social and emotional learning program that teacher’s deliver to all children in K-2. This program aims to equip children with interpersonal life skills like empathy, friendship skills, problem solving skills, emotional literacy and emotional regulation.
The Targeted Program
The Got-It! Team screen each schools K-2 cohort for children that may benefit from more intensive support regarding any social, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Following collaboration with the school and parents, eight K-2 students and their parent/carer are then invited to attend a 9 week targeted therapeutic program (Care2Kids) facilitated within the school.
Care2Kids is a fun and engaging evidence-based program aimed at teaching children social skills, emotional literacy and emotional regulation, as well as supporting parents to develop tools to respond to their child's social, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Care2Kids is a 9 week Therapeutic Program within the school environment. The program usually runs in the morning session for two hours and a parent attends each week with their child. In the first hour parents and children separate to attend the child and parent groups respectively. In the second hour parents and children reunite for the Together Group.
- The Child Group: The Child Group is a strengths-based interactive group that teaches children social and emotional skills via movement activities, games, craft, puppets and role plays. Children consistently report that they love coming to Got-It! Group each week!
- The Parent Group: The Parent Group is a supportive and judgement free environment where parents/carers are familiarised with what skills their children are being taught so that they can communicate using similar language. Parents/carers are also given information about their child's development, what might influence their behaviour, and ways that parents can respond to emotions and behaviour.
- The Together Group: The Together Group has an attachment focus and gives parents/carers and children an opportunity to have special one on one time together, as well as a chance to practice newfound skills learnt in the group.
Teacher support
The Got-It! Team provide professional development and support to school teaching staff throughout their engagement with each school. This includes training regarding the importance of social and emotional learning, as well as topics integral to children’s development and wellbeing such as anxiety, sensory regulation, attachment, trauma, brain development and emotion coaching.
Outreach
Got-It! staff also provide time limited outreach to families in need that are not selected for the targeted program. This includes information about and/or referrals to other relevant services in the area.
The Rural Program
The Hunter New England Got-It! Team are currently piloting more flexible modes of delivery for our rural and remote communities. Got-It! Programs in more rural communities will include online Parent Groups, home based Together Group content, and intensive face to face or satellite Child Group options. Families will also be supported by weekly online/phone call check ins. If selected for a Got-It! rural program, families will be notified what mode of delivery is being offered for their school.
How to refer
Referrals are made through a formal expression of interest form, completed by the school Principal. The form is available from the Got It! Team or the Department of Education Network Specialist Facilitators. Contact HNELHD-WallsendGotIt@health.nsw.gov.au for more information.
The Children, Young People and Families Counselling Service offers free support to individuals, families, or small groups facing challenges that affect children and their families.
Our counsellors assist children (under 18) and their families with:
- behavioural issues
- emotional challenges
- grief and loss
- worries
- trauma
- parenting concerns
- adjusting to separation or divorce
- family conflict
- sexual orientation or identity issues
Services provided
The counsellor will discuss your concerns, assess your child and family's needs, and ask about medical and family history, as well as your child's development.
After the assessment, an action plan will be developed, which may include:
- individual counselling for the child and/or parents
- family counselling
- group programs
- consultation with others involved with your child
- referrals to other services.
This service is free of charge.
How to refer
To refer your child for counselling, call (02) 6592 9536.
Location and contact details
Counselling services are available at the following locations:
Taree Community Health Centre
Address: 64 Pulteney Street, Taree NSW 2430
Phone: (02) 6592 9315
Forster Community Health Centre
Address: 14 Breese Parade, Forster NSW 2428
Phone: (02) 6539 6500
Gloucester Community Health Centre
Address: Church Street, Gloucester NSW 2422
Phone: (02) 6538 5058
Bulahdelah Community Health Centre
Address: Richmond Street, Bulahdelah NSW 2423
Phone: (02) 6538 5058
Hawks Nest Community Health Centre
Address: Boona Street, Hawks Nest NSW 2324
Phone: (02) 6538 5058