Children who are removed from their family and placed into care are a highly vulnerable group. Many will have lived through a range of traumatic childhood experiences, including abuse and neglect. Past trauma can make it much harder for them to think clearly and react calmly, even when doing ordinary day to day activities like going to school. If children are unable to get early access to the required services and supports at the right time, they can become more disadvantaged resulting in poor life outcomes in many areas such as health, mental health and education.
The Department of Communities (Communities) works closely with the Department of Health and the five Health Service Providers: Child and Adolescent Health (CAHS), WA Country Health Service (WACHS), East Metropolitan Health Service, North Metropolitan Health Service and South Metropolitan Health Service to enhance prioritised access to public health services to children and young people with a care experience.
State Government agencies have a shared responsibility and commitment to actively support children and young people in its care and care leavers to access the right services and supports for them as early as possible. Early access to the services they need will give them the best chance of managing any health and developmental difficulties they have so they can make the most of their schooling, further education and training, live in good health and develop the skills to foster stable relationships, employment and housing.
Coordinated and timely services to address children and young people’s needs and difficulties including health and developmental screening, dental therapy, speech and occupational therapy and mental health and wellbeing services are being prioritised.
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