The Family, Child and Youth Health Service has a team of experienced and friendly professional staff who support families and young people. They check the growth and development of babies and children, and offer support groups, confidential counselling and home visits. Information is available on a wide range of child and family health issues, such as immunisation, toddler behaviour, sleeping and feeding problems, and bedwetting. If a child has been diagnosed with, for instance, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), the Family, Child and Youth Health Service can advise on strategies to help modify behaviour.
All of the services offered are free, except for the hire of a bedwetting alarm, for which there is a fee.
The DHHS Parenting Line offers an extensive range of information for parents and carers. You can call 1300 808 178 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 7 days a week. If the problem requires specialist advice during business hours, the Parenting Line connects to the most appropriate service so that the matter can be dealt with immediately, rather than referring you on to another number.
The Oral Health Services section of the Department of Health and Human Services provides services to help ensure that all Tasmanian children have healthy teeth and mouths. It places great importance on prevention rather than cure, and provides free dental examinations to children, from birth up to 18 years of age, at its Community Dental Clinics. Community dental clinics operate in each region.
Examinations may include:
Any special treatment required will be free if the child is:
For other children, a co-payment (subsidised fee) of $50 is charged for general dental treatment. Treatment outside general treatment guidelines, including orthodontic extractions, requires an additional co-payment.
For further information please contact the Oral Health Services Hotline on 1800 814 702.
Community Dental Clinics in each region are listed in the White Pages of the telephone directory under ‘Health and Human Services (Department of)’ then under ‘Oral Health Services’. They are also listed on the Health and Human Services website. Find the ‘Services and Information Directory’ and scroll down to‘Oral and Dental Health’.
Children may suffer from stress disorders if they have experienced the loss of a parent or a family relationship breakdown, and/or if they have a parent suffering mental illness or from the effects of drug or alcohol abuse. Children’s personal and social development may be affected and they may have trouble forming relationships with others. This may reveal itself in antisocial behaviour, hostility or depression. These young people, and those who care for them, need professional support and help.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services are located in each region of Tasmania. They offer:
These services operate Monday to Friday 8.45 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. for young people less than 18 years living in the region. You will need a referral from a doctor, health professional or school support services officer (see below), or if you are the primary carer you may be able to make a direct request yourself. The services are in demand and there may be a delay before the young person can see a specialist.
The Education booklet in this series advises that ‘if you have concerns about the emotional health or learning and development of a school-age child, you should talk with the school Principal. The Principal should be able to refer you to the appropriate support service’.
Before a child starts school, if you have concerns about their development or learning, contact the Early Childhood Intervention Service:
Crisis Assessment Services operate differently in each region of Tasmania. Their main role is dealing with adults aged 18–24 during business hours, but they may be able to assist with people of all ages afterhours. The services offer advice, referral and intake in psychiatric emergencies. Phone: south 1800 332 388; north (03) 6336 2185; in the north-west go to the Emergency Department of your local hospital.
The Parenting Line on 1300 808 178 can provide advice on mental health issues.
The Migrant Resource Centres in the south and the north can refer you to services for children who have experienced trauma. In Hobart call (03) 6234 9411; in the north and north-west call Launceston (03) 6331 2300.
The Phoenix Centre for Torture and Trauma is located at 49 Molle Street, Hobart, or phone (03) 6234 9138.
The Alcohol and Drug Service provides and brokers a variety of services. It provides assessment, treatment planning and interventions including detoxification, as well as individual and group counselling for people with complex substance abuse issues.
The Alcohol and Drug Service on 1800 811 994 (24 hours) can:
Or the Service can be contacted on the following numbers:
The Public and Environmental Health Service Hotline on 1800 671 738 provides advice and information about communicable diseases, environmental health, immunisation, food safety and nutrition, needle availability and tobacco control. It also provides an after-hours emergency contact service seven days a week for urgent matters relating to communicable diseases, food safety and environmental health.
The HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Information and Support Line on 1800 005 900 has counsellors available to provide information about HIV and related diseases five days a week 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This service also provides support on gender and sexuality issues and is managed by the Tasmanian Council on AIDS, Hepatitis and Related Diseases (TasCHARD).
The Tasmanian Poisons Information Service on 13 11 26 provides information regarding poisons, bites and stings. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Grandparents may be concerned that children have witnessed family arguments and abuse and may even have experienced violence or sexual abuse directly. These experiences often result in the child being excessively timid, aggressive or hostile in their dealings with others, including the grandparents themselves.
The Tasmanian Government has implemented an initiative called Safe at Home to help victims and to reduce family violence. Services have been established in each region to help children recover from the impacts of violence that they may have witnessed or experienced.
The new family violence services include counselling, therapy and group work for both adults and children. They have good linkages with other support providers including the Police and Justice so that they are easy to access, safe and secure. More information can be found on the Safe at Home website.
The Family Violence Response and Referral Line on 1800 633 937 is available for enquiries 24 hours, 7 days a week. However, in an emergency, call 000.
DHHS Family Violence Services (Adults) is available on 1800 608 122. It is a free, confidential service available to anyone who needs help or information because his or her partner or ex-partner is violent and/or abusive. Family Violence Services are co-located with the children’s therapeutic service. The service is available on Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 12 midnight, and from 4 p.m. to 12 midnight on weekends and public holidays.
The Victims Assistance Unit (Department of Justice) provides support in court for children who are witnesses to family violence. The Unit can be contacted on 1300 663 773.
The Child Protection Advice and Referral Service (CPAARS) on 1300 737 639 is the number to call to report concerns about the abuse of children.CPAARS provides consultation, advice and referral about care and protection matters. Services include direct contact with the child and family, case management (planning, monitoring and reviewing the needs of children), assistance with referrals to other agencies, and legal protective intervention.
More detail is available about Child Protection and CPAARS in the ‘Legal Issues’ booklet in this series. CPAARS is run by Child and Family Services and is available at:
Child and Family Services, South
2nd Floor Woodhouse Building
St Johns Park
New Town 7008
Phone: (03) 6230 7650
Child and Family Services, North
115–119 Cameron Street
Launceston 7250
Phone: (03) 6336 2376
Child and Family Services, North-West
3rd Floor Reece House
46 Mount Street
Burnie 7320
Phone: (03) 6434 6246
In dealing with the Department of Health and Human Services, any complaints or concerns should be addressed firstly to the officer involved. If not resolved, the matter should be raised with the officer’s supervisor, then the State Manager of the service. If the Service cannot resolve the issue, then a letter can be sent to the relevant Divisional Director.
A complaint can be made to the Ombudsman or the Health Complaints Commissioner, but they will only investigate a complaint if the Division has been given the opportunity to resolve the matter.
The Commissioner for Children does not handle individual complaints. However, there is dialogue between the Ombudsman’s Office and the Commissioner’s Office on issues of mutual concern.
This page has been produced by the Department of Education
Questions concerning its content may be directed by email to ServiceCentre@education.tas.gov.au or telephone 1800 816 057.
This page was last modified on 15th October 2008. The URL for this page is: http://www.education.tas.gov.au/school/parents/grandparents/health/children.
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