Staying Safe in Community

Our services help prevent and respond to violence abuse and neglect.

We are guided by NSW Health policy and practice priorities to:

  • Help with domestic and family violence
  • Support Aboriginal families facing violence
  • Assist with adult and child sexual assault
  • Care for and respond to child physical and emotional abuse and neglect
  • Help children and young people with problematic or harmful sexual behaviours
  • Give medical and forensic examinations for sexual assault, child protection, or domestic and family violence

Our staff understand the impact of trauma and work with care and sensitivity towards those who are affected.

By working together with families and other services in the community, we can help identify and meet the needs of vulnerable adults, children, young people, families, and communities.

 

Quick Exit

 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, you can get help by calling the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63.


Referral Management and Early Response (RMER) Service

RMER is an intake service for the following programs:

  • Child Protection Counselling Service (CPCS)
  • Green Valley Liverpool Domestic Violence Service (GVLDVS)
  • Sexual Assault Service (SAS)
  • Safe Wayz for children under 10 with problematic or harmful sexualised behaviours

The RMER staff are counsellors who manage, support and triage referrals. The RMER team will help you or your client by assessing the situation and making sure your referral is sent to the correct service. You can read more about the services provided by clicking on the name of the service in the services table.

RMER is open from 9:00am – 4:00pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. RMER is closed on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday.

To make a referral, please contact RMER.

Phone: 1800-111-146

Referral forms emailed to: SWSLHD-IPARVAN-RMER@health.nsw.gov.au

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, you can get help by calling RMER on 1800 111 146 or the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63.


Child Protection Counselling Service

The Child Protection Counselling Service (CPCS) work with children, young people, and their families where it has been determined by the Department of Communities and Justice that the children and young people are at-risk of harm.

CPCS offers specialist counselling to help children and young people recover from violence, abuse and/or neglect. The team of Psychologists and Social Workers work out of the main site at Liverpool as well as other community health centres across south west Sydney.

CPCS offer one of the following sessions on a medium to long term basis, based on the need:

  • Outreach or home visiting service
  • Individual, couple, or family counselling
  • Groupwork
  • Play therapy sessions

Referrals to CPCS can be made by the Department of Communities and Justice, NSW Health, or non-government organisations only.

How to get in contact:

For enquiries or referrals, contact the Referral Management and Early Response Service via email: swslhd-iparvan-rmer@health.nsw.gov.au or phone: 1800 111 146


Green Valley Liverpool Domestic Violence Service

The Green Valley Liverpool Domestic Violence Service (GVLDVS) helps victim-survivors of domestic and family violence who live in the Liverpool local government area (LGA).

GVLDVS offers:

  • Counselling for adults, young people, and children
  • Support with accommodation, locksmiths, relocation, and furniture
  • Case management
  • Court advocacy and support
  • Education and information about domestic violence
  • Education sessions for NSW Health staff and other non-government organisations
  • Liaising with NSW Police or other organisations (e.g. housing or Centrelink)
  • Therapeutic counselling
  • Groupwork

Referrals can be made by anyone. Residents of the Liverpool LGA can access this service only.

How to get in contact:

For enquiries or referrals, contact the Referral Management and Early Response Service via email: swslhd-iparvan-rmer@health.nsw.gov.au or phone: 1800 111 146

 

The Out of Home Care Health Pathway Program

The Out of Home Care Health Pathway Program works with the Department of Communities and Justice to offer health checks for children and young people entering statutory out-of-home care.

The program helps children and young people in out-of-home care get:

  • Access to health assessments
  • Health management plans
  • Access to other services as needed
  • Ongoing review of their health needs

The following is checked during the primary health assessment:

  • Height and weight, including the child’s BMI (body mass index)
  • Talking and listening skills
  • Fine and gross motor skills
  • Dental
  • Hearing
  • Immunisation
  • Nutrition
  • Sexual health and/or drug and alcohol concerns
  • Social and emotional wellbeing (e.g. mental health)
  • Vision
  • Carer and/or placement concerns
  • Any other health concerns

Health management plans are made after the health assessment and will include any health recommendations or referrals to help with the child or young person’s health and development. The Out of Home Care Health Coordinator works closely with the Department of Communities and Justice caseworker to ensure recommendations are included in the child or young person’s care planning.

It is recommended that children aged 0-5 years have their plan reviewed and updated every 6 months, and young people aged 5-18 years every 12 months.

Referrals to the Out of Home Care Health Pathway Program are made by the Department of Communities and Justice within 14 days of the child’s entry into statutory care for more than 90 days.

How to get in contact:

For enquiries or referrals, contact the Out of Home Care Health Pathway Program via email: swslhd-oohchealthreferral@health.nsw.gov.au or phone: 02 4633 0578


Perinatal Family Conferencing

The Perinatal Family Conferencing program supports pregnant women and their families where there are child protection concerns for the unborn baby.

The program is delivered in partnership with the Department of Communities and Justice and helps pregnant women and their families address child protection issues and reduce the number of infants entering statutory care. The program also empowers families to participate in the decision making about their child.

The program aims to hold three meetings where the families focus on their strengths and work together to problem solve and ensure a case plan is developed to address the identified issues. During these meetings, the “Three Houses” tool is used to guide the discussion. Families are asked the following questions:

  • House of worries: what are we worried about in relation to the baby and the family?
  • House of good things: what is working well in the family?
  • House of dreams: what needs to happen to make sure the baby is safe in the future?

Referrals to the Perinatal Family Conferencing program are made by the Department of Communities and Justice only.

How to get in contact:

For enquiries, contact the Perinatal Family Conferencing program via email: swslhd-pfc-referrals@health.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 4633 0578


New Street

The New Street program supports children and young people aged 10 to 17 years who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour towards others and their families, or carers. The service covers the Sydney, South Western Sydney and South Eastern Sydney Local Health District’s and provides outreach services across all three districts.

The New Street service works with the young person to help them:

  • Understand,
  • Acknowledge,
  • Take responsibility for,
  • And to stop their harmful sexual behaviour

The team works with whole family and connects with other agencies and community services to help support interventions.

The New Street service prioritises Aboriginal young people. All staff in the New Street service are trained and committed to ensuring cultural safety.

How to get in contact:

Referrals to the New Street service can be made directly via email: swslhd-newstreet@health.nsw.gov.au or phone: 02 9794 0620


Safe Wayz Program

The Safe Wayz Program supports children under the age of 10 who have displayed problematic or harmful sexual behaviours.

The Safe Wayz Program supports families, carers and health professionals seeking advice, guidance, and information related to a child’s sexual behaviour. The program can also provide counselling and make referrals.

Referrals to the Safe Ways Program can be made by anyone.

How to get in contact:

For enquiries or referrals, contact the Referral Management and Early Response Service via email: swslhd-iparvan-rmer@health.nsw.gov.au or phone: 1800 111 146


Sexual Assault Service and Forensic Medical Service

The Sexual Assault Service helps children, young people, and adult victims of a recent or past sexual assault. The service also supports non-offending family members, significant others and/or carers.

The Sexual Assault Service offer:

  • A specialised medical service to provide a health and wellbeing assessment and treatment and includes the collection of evidence for legal purposes
  • Advocacy
  • Court preparation, court support and reports
  • Crisis and ongoing counselling
  • Consultation, education, and training for health professionals and other government agencies
  • Groupwork

Referrals to the Sexual Assault Service can be made by anyone.

How to get in contact:

The Forensic Medical Service is provided at Liverpool Hospital, during business hours and after hours. Liverpool Hospital can be contacted via 02 8738 3000.

For enquiries or referrals, contact the Referral Management and Early Response Service via email: swslhd-iparvan-rmer@health.nsw.gov.au or phone: 1800 111 146


White Ribbon Workplace Accreditation

South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) is a White Ribbon accredited workplace. Becoming a White Ribbon accredited workplace, shows our commitment to:

  • Create a safer work environment
  • Promote respectful relationships and gender equality
  • Demonstrate a culture of zero tolerance of violence against women
  • Engage, educate, and empower staff to recognise and respond to violence against women

For enquiries or to get involved, please contact the SWSLHD White Ribbon Project Officer via swslhd-whiteribbon@health.nsw.gov.au or visit the SWSLHD White Ribbon Workplace Accreditation Program website here.