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There are two Child Protection Units located in The Children’s Hospitals at Westmead and Randwick. They provide forensic, medical and counseling health services for children, young people and their families following allegations of child abuse and neglect. 

These multi-disciplinary teams include specialist medical and psycho-social health professionals. The CPU’s incorporate NSW Health Sexual Assault Services. They work within and interagency framework in partnership and with shared responsibility with community services, police and the Joint Child Protection Response Program (JCPRP). 

Services are provided for children and young people 0-16 years of age.

These include:

• Forensic, medical and psycho-social assessments following allegations of child abuse and neglect.
• Medical investigations and treatment.
• Support and crisis counselling to children, young people and their families where there has been an allegation of abuse and neglect.
• Ongoing counselling to children, young people and their families where sexual abuse has been investigated and confirmed by the Joint Child Protection Response Program (JCPRP), Community Services, or the Police. 
• Advocacy and case management.
• Expert court testimony
• Group work for children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse and for their non-offending caregivers.
• Assessment and counselling to children under 10 years with problematic sexualised behaviour.
• Groups for children in out of home care and their carers.
• Health screening services to children in out-of-home-care with  complex needs and or via  specific referral pathways from Community Services
• Court preparation and court support programs
• Professional education and training programs
• Support and consultation to professionals across NSW

The Health Child Wellbeing unit (CWU), managed under the auspice of the Sydney Children’s Hospitals ÐÇ¿ÕÌåÓý, is a telephone advisory service staffed by child protection professionals.

The Unit can be contacted by any medical practitioner in NSW, or by any public health professional for advice and assistance on a range of matters concerning the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children and young people.

This includes advice about:

• whether or not concerns constitute suspected risk of significant harm
• use of the Mandatory Reporter Guide
• who else a Health worker may need to talk with about providing support and services to a child, young person or family available referral options
• developing a plan and interventions to address child wellbeing or child protection concerns
• conversations Health workers could have with clients to achieve better outcomes for children and young people.

The CWU will confirm over the phone and /or by email your contact with the CWU, provide a summary of agreed actions and any additional information about service providers or options.

Aboriginal workers are available at the CWU to assist in providing a culturally appropriate response for Aboriginal clients.

Workers can ask whether an Aboriginal Assessment Officer is available when they ring the CWU.

To contact a call 1300 480 420 business hours.

Health workers can provide initial information about their concerns, via email or telephone messaging which will be followed up on the next business day.