SA Child and Adolescent Health Community of Practice

The SA statewide Child and Adolescent Health Community of Practice (CAHCoP) is a multidisciplinary team representing child and adolescent health across South Australia.

The Women’s and Children’s Health Network proudly auspice the SA CAHCoP and include representatives across SA Health, including consumers, metropolitan LHNs, regional LHNs, Aboriginal health, Child Protection, and the Adelaide Primary Health Network (PHN).

What we do

CAHCoP provides statewide oversight and direction for child and adolescent services within SA to ensure safe, high-quality care for babies over 6 weeks, children, and young people.

This includes the development and review of statewide priorities, strategy, quality improvement initiatives, policies, and clinical practice guidelines.

CAHCoP Strategic Executive Committee

The CAHCoP Strategic Executive Committee is currently Co-Chaired by Dr Dimi Simatos and Dr John Widger.

Parenting and child health resources

CAHCoP compiled and maintain a ‘one-stop’ list of public health Services for Parenting and Child Health.

Clinical Services Capability Framework

CAHCoP provide expert advice on the Clinical Services Capability Framework in relation to children and young people.

SA Paediatric Clinical Practice Guidelines Reference Group

The SA CAHCoP Strategic Executive Committee oversees the statewide Paediatric Clinical Practice Guideline Reference Group, which offers clinical leadership of Paediatric Clinical Practice Guidelines endorsed for use within South Australia, including the Paediatric Improvement Collaborative (PIC).  

Instructions for accessing approved state and national paediatric clinical practice guidelines can be found on the SA Paediatric Clinical Practice Guidelines web page.

Frequently asked questions for families and health professionals

Child and Adolescent Health Community of Practice (CAHCoP) is a group of professionals from child health and wellbeing services across the state that work together to advocate for quality health services for babies, children, and young people.

CAHCoP has a mix of members to ensure children and adolescents across the state are being advocated for. We have a mix of government and non-government representatives including:

  • consumer representatives
  • doctors including GPs and paediatricians
  • clinicians including nurses and allied health professionals.
  • Aboriginal health representatives
  • regional health representatives
  • administrators and executive officers that work in child health related fields

CAHCoP places the needs, preferences, and voices of children at the heart of its healthcare planning and delivery for children and adolescents throughout South Australia. Our goal is to foster healthy, thriving children by offering services across the state, which includes a commitment to providing interconnected, evidence-based, and equitable care that addresses the physical, emotional, social, mental health, and cultural aspects of well-being, while ensuring child safety within a connected and supportive community.

Yes, CAHCoP operates within SA Health but does not implement government policies or programs. We also have members that are from non-government services and may support or advocate for services that are non-government.

CAHCoP finds areas for improvement within SA Health services and recommends changes or enhancements to better meet the needs of children, adolescents, and their families. We support and guide SA Health’s work by advocating and providing expert advice.

CAHCoP advocate for health equity, safety and quality in child health services through:

The CAHCoP Strategic Executive Committee

The CAHCoP SEC provides statewide governance for child and adolescent health services within South Australia; and continues to provide clinical leadership and involvement in the development and application of paediatric clinical standards, guidelines and protocols.

The SA Paediatric Clinical Practice Guideline Reference Group

SA CAHCoP Strategic Executive Committee oversees the statewide Paediatric Clinical Practice Guideline Reference Group (PCPGRG) who represent SA Health and South Australia in developing paediatric clinical guidelines endorsed for use in SA, including the Paediatric Improvement Collaborative.

Consumers, healthcare providers, and community members can reach out to discuss:

  • advocacy
  • issues or concerns about policies and services related to child and adolescent health
  • new developments, research projects or initiatives
  • expression of interest for membership to CAHCoP SEC or the SA PCPGRG
  • seek expression of interest for committees or consultation

Email Health.SACAH@sa.gov.au

CAHCoP is unable to give medical advice, however we can direct inquiries to the right area within SA Health.

If you have feedback or a complaint about a particular service please contact the Local Health Network that provided the service. See *feedback and complaints for more information.

Further information

For more information contact:

Principal Project Manager
Email:  Health.SACAH@sa.gov.au