Healthcare
When a child or young person first comes to live with you and your family, your caseworker will share relevant health information with you. This may include information such as if the child has asthma or any allergies or serious health problems. While the child or young person is living with you, they will need to have regular health and dental check ups.
Supporting the health of kids in care
Children and young people in out-of-home care are a vulnerable group with increased rates of physical, developmental, emotional and mental health issues compared to the general community of Australian children. Carers can help address this by making sure kids have regular check-ups and make use of the services provided by the government.
It is important to note that the law requires authorised carers to immediately notify their agency if a child or young person in their care suffers a serious accident, illness or injury.
Keeping up with immunisations
When a child or young person is placed with you, your caseworker will give you information about the child’s immunisation history. It is expected that children and young people receive all available immunisations. You can give consent for immunisation of a child or young person in line with the NSW Health immunisation schedule. It is important you maintain kids’ health records for as long as they are in your care
Managing medication
When you are giving prescription medicines to the child or young person in your care, make sure you do it exactly as directed. If they get the wrong dose or have a bad reaction seek immediate advice from your doctor or call:
- the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26
- an ambulance on 000.
When buying non-prescription medication, such as analgesics and cough and cold remedies, take into account the child or young person’s medical history and any past side effects to different types of medication. If kids have a reaction to a particular type of medication while in your care, tell your caseworker so they can make a record for future reference.
Always make sure you store medicines safely and not within sight or reach of children in your care.
If you have any questions about prescription medicines, non-prescription medicines or natural medications call 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424). The phone line is run by NPS MedicineWise, a government-funded, independent advisory body. Calls are answered by registered nurses.
Infectious diseases
Privacy laws that apply to all adults and children in NSW mean you will only be informed that a child or young person in your care has HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C or other infectious disease if you need to know this information to provide appropriate care for them and the disease could pose a significant health risk to you or members of your family.
If you or a member of your family has an infectious disease you are not required to tell your caseworker provided that you’re using universal infection control procedures and the disease doesn’t affect your ability to provide adequate care.
If you are told about a child or young person’s infectious disease status, you cannot disclose this information to anyone except a medical practitioner or dentist for the purpose of medical advice or treatment, or in certain circumstances approved by the Minister.
As a general rule, carers should always treat all bodily substances including blood, body fluid, urine and faeces as potentially infectious and use sensible protective practices, such as wearing rubber gloves.