Health Child Wellbeing Units (CWU)
NSW Health Child Wellbeing Units can be contacted on 1300 480 420 between 8.30am and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
After hours, you can provide initial advice, via email, fax or telephone messaging about a child protection concern, which will be followed up on the next business day. Go to: After Hours CWU Contact Form
Child Wellbeing Units are staffed by child protection professionals who will provide advice and support to Heath mandatory reporters on about a range of matters concerning the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children and young people. . This includes support in identifying whether or not concerns constitute risk of significant harm, use of the Mandatory Reporter Guide and providing advice on what action may be taken by Health workers in response to all levels of concern.
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 Assessment Officers 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.
When to call a Child Wellbeing Unit
NSW Health mandatory reporters should call the NSW Health Child Wellbeing Unit:
- when the Mandatory Reporter Guide indicates that this should be done to assist in determining the level of risk to a child, young person or unborn baby. This includes where the Mandatory Reporter Guide has been consulted and you remain unsure about what action to take
- to identify whether another agency or Health worker has concerns or is working with a particular child, young person or family and whether this information impacts on the level of risk or the response required
- for advice and assistance in planning what supports or services may be offered to assist the child, young person and their family
- in response to a letter from Community Services advising you to contact with the CWU to discuss ongoing case planning or the support needs of the child, young person or family and so that the concern can be recorded centrally by NSW Health
for advice around the conversations you might have with families or other service providers around your safety, welfare or wellbeing concern for a child or young person. NSW Health Child Wellbeing Coordinators
As well as the CWUs, each Local Health District and specialised networks have access to a Child Wellbeing Coordinator to support health staff with their responsibilities in relation to the safety, welfare or wellbeing of children and young people.
Go to Child Wellbeing Coordinators