Parenting and child health services
SA Health offers a range of health services for children and young people across South Australia.
Child and Family Health Service
The Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS) provides services across South Australia, based on the latest research and best practice. Our services include:
- health services for infants and children 0 to 5 years, with a focus on 0 to 3 years
- feeding, settling, child development support and development checks
- parenting support and information to parents and caregivers
- up to date health information for parents and their children.
An overview of CaFHS' parenting and child health services can be found here.
Find your local Child and Family Health Service centre at www.cafhs.sa.gov.au.
To make an appointment, call 1300 733 606 between 9am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Paediatric outpatient clinics
Paediatric outpatient clinics are available at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Flinders Medical Centre.
There are also clinics at Noarlunga Health Services as an outreach service.
Parenting SA
Parenting SA promotes the value of parents and the important role of parenting. It aims to support parents to build their knowledge, skills and confidence.
Parent Easy Guides
Parent Easy Guides (PEGS) are fact sheets with helpful information for parents and carers. You’ll find these guides in most child care centres and community centres.
Parenting seminars
For further information, go to Parenting SA.
Telephone: (08) 8303 1660
Parent Helpline
Telephone: 1300 364 100
The Parent Helpline provides telephone information and support for parents of infants and children, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. The helpline is staffed by qualified staff who provide information based on the latest research. Information provided covers a range of topics including child health, behaviour, nutrition and parenting.
Online health information for parents and children
Managed by the Women’s and Children's Health Network, the www.cafhs.sa.gov.au website provides a wide range of information on parenting and child health.
Child Development Services
Children with multiple or severe developmental problems, including global developmental delay, autism and Asperger’s Syndrome can be assessed by a multidisciplinary Children’s Assessment Team at the Flinders Medical Centre.
The Women's and Children's Hospital's Kingsley Fairbridge Child Development Unit provides a team approach to the assessment and management of children whose development is of concern in more than one area, and provides support to their families.
Children's Centres
Children's Centres for Early Childhood Development and Parenting are service hubs for parents and children from birth to five years including health services, childcare, preschool, community development activities and family support. SA Health is a key partner in this cross government initiative. There are currently 42 centres across the State with a further five in development. More information is available at Children's Centres.
Child Protection Service
The Women’s and Children’s Hospital Child Protection Service is provided for families living in northern, western and eastern Adelaide and northern and western country areas. Referrals are provided through Families SA.
The Flinders Medical Centre Child Protection Service is provided for families living in southern metropolitan Adelaide, South East and Riverland areas of South Australia.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, called CAMHS for short, is a free, community-based mental health service offered by the Women’s and Children’s Health Network.
CAMHS provides services to mothers in the perinatal period, infants, children and young people up to the age of 16 (up to 18 in some regions) and their families, with moderate to severe and complex emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties, across South Australia.
Our services include family and individual therapy, group programs and information for parents/carers and key partners such as schools, GPs, hospitals, government and non-government organisations.
CAMHS prioritises children, young people and families from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, as well as children and young people under guardianship.
Our staff include a multidisciplinary workforce of mental health nurses and midwives, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists and speech pathologists. We also have Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing and Clinical Workers, and a Multicultural Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
To find an office visit CAMHS.