Services
Our program provides:
- assistance with arranging free health checks
- assistance with ongoing referrals
- ongoing healthcare coordination to improve overall health and wellness.
Our nurse navigators provide the service in partnership with Child Safety and Youth Justice staff. They work GPs, hospitals, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Medical Services and other community health services.
How the program works
Step 1
Child Safety or Youth Justice staff refer you to our team after talking to your parents or carers.
Step 2
A nurse navigator will arrange a full health assessment to identify any health problems you may have.
A GP, Aboriginal medical service, or a health professional that you already know will usually do the health assessment.
Step 3
After the health assessment, the nurse navigator will create a health management plan for you.
Step 4
The nurse navigator will help connect you to the health services you need. They’ll share your health management plan with them.
Step 5
Once you’re connected with the services you need and your care arrangements are stable we’ll discharge you from our service.
When we do, we’ll create a discharge summary to make sure your health care continues.
The role of parents and carers
There are some things you can do to help us make sure your child gets the best possible healthcare.
As a parent it’s important to:
- tell us about any worries you have about your child’s health history
- give us any information you have that will help us understand your child’s health care needs
- go to your child’s health assessment if possible
- make decisions about some types of medical examinations and treatments your child needs.
As a foster carer or kinship carer, it’s important to:
- make sure your child attends at all appointments
- help us plan and coordinate your child’s healthcare
- talk with us and your child’s Child Safety or Youth Justice officer if you have worries about your child’s health or wellbeing
- keep a copy of your child’s health management plan in their Health Passport
- encourage your child to visit their GP at least once a year for a health check
- remind your child to keep a copy of their health management plan in a safe place if they’re transitioning to adulthood.
Who can use this service?
Children and young people who are:
- currently in or about to enter out-of-home care - up to the age of 18
- subject to community-based youth justice orders - aged 10 to 17 and a half.
You can also access this service if you’re case managed through the following service centres:
- Child safety Brisbane and Moreton Bay region - Alderley, Cannon Hill, Chermside, Forest Lake, Inala, Mount Gravatt
- Child safety South East Region - Logan Central, Loganlea
- Child safety Far North Queensland Region - Cairns, Edmonton
- Youth Justice - Brisbane North and South, Western Districts, Ipswich, Logan and Cairns.
How to use this service
You need a referral from one of the following to use this service:
- Child Safety staff
- Youth Justice staff.
Contact the team
You can contact the navigate your health team on 07 3068 5373 or at NavigateCHQ@health.qld.gov.au.
Our hours are Monday to Friday 8 am to 4 pm.
Other information
You can also read about young people in care and health and wellbeing of children in care on the Queensland Government website.