Children and Families Hub launches in Rockdale to improve local educational outcomes

South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) has partnered with a number of local agencies in the St George area to launch a unique service to help address developmental challenges in children aged under five years in the Rockdale area.
 
The Rockdale Children and Families Hub (The Hub) is an integrated approach that brings services directly to the community through two central points of care – Rockdale Public School and Integricare Rockdale.
 
Michelle Jubelin, Director, Child, Youth and Family Services, SESLHD said the need for a place-based, proactive service was identified though research which uncovered that in Rockdale, 23 per cent of children showed undetected developmental vulnerabilities when starting school – which is above the state average of 20 per cent.
 
“We understand that children from culturally and linguistically diverse families are more vulnerable to slipping through the cracks, as families are less likely to access health services due to barriers such as poor health literacy or unfamiliarity with services,” Ms Jubelin said.
 
“In the St George region, 41 per cent of residents are born in a non-English speaking country. This means that taking early intervention support services directly to families is an important step in shaping the long-term health and wellbeing of local children.”
 
The Hub offers playgroups, family support, parenting information, transition to school activities and resources, child and family health services and support for families with children with additional needs, as well as links with childcare, pre-schools and Rockdale Public School. The service is available to all families attending an Integricare service or Rockdale Public School
 
Staff working within The Hub, including nurses, are able to facilitate referrals between services on behalf of families, such as with a paediatrician or allied health or developmental assessment services.
 
Agencies who have partnered together to deliver The Hub, include SESLHD, Integricare, Department of Education, Rockdale Community Services, Barnardos, Life start Family and Community Services and Advance Diversity Services.
 
For more information contact Tania Rimes or phone 9382 8696.