'Safeguards' Child and Adolescent Mental Health Response Teams

Monday, 21 June 2021

A record government investment in child and adolescent mental health will ensure thousands of children and teenagers across NSW have access to specialised care.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor today announced funding for 25 Safeguards Child and Adolescent Mental Health Response Teams included in the 2021-2022 NSW State Budget.

Mr Perrottet said the funding package would enhance specialist child and adolescent mental health services in every Local Health District over the next four years.

“We’re committed to improving the health and safety of our young people and this new model of care will be launched with an initial $18 million investment, with a total of $109.5 million allocated over the next four years,” Mr Perrottet said.

“The new multidisciplinary teams will be established across the state, providing rapid and flexible community care responses to children and adolescents in acute mental health distress.”

Mrs Taylor said the ‘Safeguards’ teams will provide community based support to help children, teens and their families coordinate all aspects of their care.

“This is a game changer in addressing mental health for children and teenagers.
It’s all about bringing the right care at the right time and in the right place to children, adolescents and their loved ones,” said Mrs Taylor.

“These clinicians will work with patients and their families for 6-8 weeks providing wraparound support at home and school as well as facilitating access to follow-up care as required.”

“These teams will then transition the patients into longer term mental health community based supports.”

Skilled child and adolescent mental health clinicians will also help families in coordinating other aspects of their children’s mental health needs by linking them with appropriate services as needed such as GPs, private psychiatrists, headspace centres, education and vocational supports, NDIS providers, youth organisations or other needs such as housing providers.