Government

South Australian children to benefit from $13.3 million initiative to increase free health checks

The SA government has announced a $13.3 million initiative aimed at increasing both the number and scope of free child health and development checks in South Australia.

The SA government has announced a $13.3 million initiative aimed at increasing both the number and scope of free child health and development checks in South Australia. This initiative is managed by the state’s Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS). It seeks to cover a broader demographic than it had previously and ensure that developmental delays are identified and addressed promptly.

Child health and development checks are crucial for children aged zero to five, offering parents insights into their child’s growth and developmental stages. The funding will see the service delivery of CaFHS expand by up to 35%, allowing for 50,000 additional checks over the next three years. This expansion follows recommendations from the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care.

The health checks, conducted by specially trained child development nurses, assess various developmental aspects including physical health, social skills, motor skills, problem-solving capabilities, and communication skills. These checks are designed to be age-appropriate and are instrumental in promoting healthy growth and development among young children.

On the free health checks, Peter Malinauskas said, “Families are at the heart of healthy child development. Supporting families to access expert support and guidance early in their parenting journey is incredibly important.” He added that the government aims to make it easier for families to understand and access the necessary support during the critical early years of a child’s life.

The expansion aims to address findings from the 2021 Australian Early Development Census, which indicated that nearly a quarter of South Australian children demonstrated delays in one or more developmental domains upon entering school. These domains include physical health and wellbeing, social competence, emotional maturity, language and cognitive skills, and communication skills and general knowledge.

“This expansion is another step towards encouraging every family with children to access their free child health and development checks, outlined in the Blue Book and the Early Years SA app,” Malinauskas said.

Rachael Yates, WCHN Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery & Consumer Experience, also advocated for the increased role of regular developmental assessments. “The first five years are very important for lifetime development as this is when the brain and body grows rapidly, that’s why regular health and development checks are so important,” Yates said.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to utilise the expanded service. For more details about the health and development checks and how to access them, visit www.cafhs.sa.gov.au/services/health-checks.

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