There’s a new beacon of hope for South Australia’s most vulnerable children. A $3 million facility opened its doors in late November near the Flinders Medical Centre, offering state-of-the-art amenities for children in need.
Jointly funded by the State Government and Flinders Foundation, who each contributed $1.5 million, the facility now operates under the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) Child Safety and Wellbeing Health Service. The centre has been set up within the Mark Oliphant Building with specific designs to support children and young people who have been subjected to abuse and neglect.
Child victims will be the direct beneficiaries of the newly built facility. Many victims have been subject to complications involving mental distress, alcohol, and domestic violence, so the noisy environment of a hospital might be too overstimulating. Therefore, the new centre has been designed to offer a quiet, friendly, and safe location.
The facility includes courtyard spaces with trees, interactive projection systems, improved staff amenities, and enhanced observation arrows. These arrangements allow separate areas for adults and children, several assessment rooms, private outdoor areas, and meeting rooms that can be adapted for therapy sessions. Wheelchair, walking aid, and pram access has also been established, offering increased accessibility to the centre.
Chris Picton, Minister for Health and Wellbeing, offered his endorsement for the centre:
“This new facility provides a safe and warm environment so these essential services can be provided to our state’s most vulnerable children.
SALHN Interim Chief Executive Jani Baker and SALHN Child Safety and Well-being Health Service Director Loretta Whitehorn welcomed all partners and donors to the projec, celebrating the facility which, they said, will offer great support to the delivery of care services and increased quality of life for those affected.
Sponsors coordinated by the Flinders Foundation include, but are not limited to: Simonds Homes, the Make a Difference Foundation, the Carthew Family Trust, the Flinders Medical Centre Volunteer Centre, and numerous others.
This new $3 million facility offers protection and support for young victims of abuse and neglect in South Australia, providing a place of critical importance to vulnerable children in our state.
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