Recommendation 19

What the Royal Commission said

The Royal Commission called for a new infant, child and family mental health and wellbeing system for children aged 0-11 years. This new system will ensure that infants, children, and their families receive the treatment, care and support they need. It will focus on early intervention and providing age-appropriate care. The system will be made up of services that support 0-4-year-olds and 5-11-year-olds.

The Royal Commission found that the current mental health system focused on young people and adults. They found there are fewer supports available to infants, children and their families. Addressing mental health and wellbeing challenges early in life can help prevent issues later on.

The Royal Commission also recognised the importance of parents, carers and supporters. They have a critical role to play in supporting infants' and children's mental health and wellbeing.

What we've achieved

Children's Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals

• Three Children's Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals have been established to provide a 'one-stop-shop' supporting infants and children aged 0-11 and their families. The Children’s Locals are located in Sunshine, Bendigo and Cranbourne.
• These services bring together a range of health and wellbeing services in one place, including psychologists and psychiatrists, family supports, speech pathologists and paediatricians.
• The Children’s Locals also offer free autism assessments. Infants, children and families do not need a referral or a diagnosis to access the Children's Locals.

Family supports

• Group-based parenting programs are being delivered through the three Children’s Locals, and through each of the eight regional Infant, Child and Youth Area Mental Health and Wellbeing Services.
• A residential family centre supporting families with children aged 0–11 who are experiencing significant behavioural, emotional, or relational challenges, is available in Macleod. The centre, known as Booboop Narrkwarren Nagarra-jarra-noun (The Family Healing Centre), is operated by Austin Health. It enables families to stay together onsite and access intensive therapeutic support for up to three weeks or participate in a structured five-day program.

What we’re doing

To respond to the recommendations, we are working with our partners to establish the following supports and services.

Expanding Infant, Child and Youth Area Mental Health and Wellbeing Services

• We are working to build a more connected and responsive mental health and wellbeing system for infants, children and young people.
• This will ensure that newborns to 25-year-olds can access mental health care that is appropriate to their age and stage of development. Services are being organised into two age-based streams of 0-11 and 12-25, so children and young people receive the right care at the right time.
• These changes are being rolled out across all Infant, Child and Youth Area Mental Health and Wellbeing Services, with the work expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
• This will be achieved through the implementation of Recommendations 5 , recommendation 19, recommendation 20 and recommendation 21.

Family supports

Supports available for parents, families and carers of children aged 0-11 include:

• group-based parenting programs at the Children’s Health and Wellbeing Locals in Sunshine, Bendigo and Cranbourne.
• group-based parenting sessions for those attending the Infant, Child and Youth Area Mental Health and Wellbeing Services located in Albury-Wodonga, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Mildura, Shepparton, Traralgon and Warrnambool.