NSW Child Protection services
Sydney Children’s Hospital Child Protection Unit (SCH CPU)
Age of children
- <16 years; may see 16 and 17 year olds depending on developmental capabilities, or if inpatient at SCH.
Catchment area
- Sydney Children’s Hospital local area (Eastern Sydney), or if inpatient at SCH or in SCH ED
- Beyond the boundary, physical assault and neglect cases are seen by local paediatric team; if there is a medical indication for transfer to tertiary service, the SCH CPU will see child and family.
Child sexual assault cases
- SCH CPU covers South Eastern Local Health District (LHD), half of Sydney LHD and Northern Sydney LHD (some days are serviced by North Sydney PARVAN), plus some of South Western Sydney LHD.
Location of management of minimally symptomatic AHT cases
- If within Greater Sydney, transfer to a CPU. For some regional or rural patients, transfer may be indicated even if not symptomatic. Discuss with CASACAL
Children’s Hospital at Westmead Child Protection Unit (CHW CPU)
Age of children
- <16 years, may see 16 and 17 year old, depending on developmental capabilities, or if inpatient at CHW.
Catchment area
- Physical assault and neglect cases – all of Western Sydney, and any child in CHW ED or inpatient at CHW
- Beyond the tertiary service boundary, physical assault and neglect cases are seen by local paediatric team; if there is a medical indication for transfer to CHW, the CHW CPU will see child and family.
Child sexual assault cases
- CHW CPU covers Western Sydney LHD, half of Sydney LHD, as well as informal cover for South Western Sydney LHD and Nepean Blue Mountains LHD when they have no doctors who can undertake a paediatric assessment.
Location of management of minimally symptomatic AHT cases
The NSW Health PANOC guidelines state that ALL cases of suspected AHT should be transferred to tertiary centre – regardless of symptoms and regardless of whether child is in greater Sydney or rural/regional.
John Hunter Hospital Child Protection Team (JHH CPT)
Age of children seen
- 0-17 years
Catchment area
- Physical assault and neglect and sexual assault assessments for children and young people within Greater Newcastle
- Beyond the tertiary service boundary, physical assault and neglect cases are assessed and managed by local paediatric team.
Child sexual assault cases
- Local pathway for assessment and management by local paediatric team and designated sexual assault service
Location of management of minimally symptomatic AHT cases
Consideration of individual cases – seek advice through CASACAL.
Links to NSW Health service information
The Sydney Children's Hospital Network - Child Protection units
CASACAL – Child Abuse & Sexual Assault Clinical Advice Line 1800 244 531 (1800 CHILD1)
Links to NSW Health documents, policies or protocols
NSW Health Child Protection and Wellbeing
Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) Medical Protocol
NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation Emergency Care Institute
Statutory child protection agency
Department of Communities and Justice
NSW Child Protection Helpline 13 21 11