Together we’re making a difference for vulnerable and neglected children
Thank you for helping to make this possible!
The $3 million build, co-funded by Flinders Foundation and The Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, signals the largest investment in a major project by Flinders Foundation since the opening of the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer nearly 12 years ago.
Located at Bedford Park, the service is comprised of an exceptional team of clinicians, psychologists, allied health and administrative staff who provide medical, psychological, and comprehensive care assessments for the 1,700 referrals received from the Department for Child Protection and SA Police each year, and also facilitates parenting capacity assessments and therapeutic reunification.
The new space provides a welcoming environment for children to feel safe with creative design features including indoor trees, courtyard spaces and interactive projector systems for children to enjoy. There’s also designated spaces for adults and children, additional assessment rooms, staff workspaces and a variety of multi-purpose private outdoor areas and meeting spaces which can be used for therapy sessions.
“This state-of-the-art facility for children and their families makes certain we have everything in place to best support them through a challenging period in their life,” says FMC Child Safety and Wellbeing Health Service Director Loretta Whitehorn.
“Our team is committed to playing our role in keeping children and young people safe, and identifying, addressing, and preventing child abuse and neglect, and this new purpose-built facility helps our service deliver the best quality care to the people who need it most.”
Flinders Foundation Executive Director Ross Verschoor thanked Flinders Foundation’s supporters and partners, including Simonds Homes, Samaras Group’s Make a Difference Foundation, Simmonds Homes, The Carthew Family Charity Trust and VollieCare for so generously supporting vulnerable and abused children, and the staff who care for them.
“Together, we are proud to play such a crucial role in building a welcoming and safe space for these vulnerable young people, where they can truly feel heard and begin the healing process to give them the best chance to change the path of their future,” says Ross.
Thank you for helping vulnerable, abused and neglected children like Alice*
When Flinders Foundation first launched its fundraising appeal to raise funds to redevelop the Flinders Medical Centre Child Safety and Wellbeing Health Service (previously called The FMC Child Protection Service), we shared with you the story of young Alice*.
*Alice – as we named her – at two years old, was found alone on the street by South Australia Police. Suffering from abuse and neglect, her mother was a victim of domestic violence, who had a history of alcohol abuse and mental health problems.
During a therapy session, CPS staff asked a now older Alice to draw a picture for us of what the new building could look like.
Overwhelmingly, Alice just wanted a safe space.
We are proud to celebrate this new space and to acknowledge that because of our generous partners and supporters, children like Alice now have a new facility fitting of the care and love they deserve to help change their lives.
Project Snapshot – Child Safety and Wellbeing Health Service Facility
- $3-million project
- Provides medical, psychological, and comprehensive care assessments for 1,700 referrals each year of vulnerable children at risk of or experiencing abuse and neglect.
- Features welcoming and safe environment with:
- Indoor decorative trees
- courtyard spaces
- Interactive projector systems for children to enjoy
- Assessment rooms
- Staff workspaces
- Variety of multi-purpose private outdoor areas and meeting spaces which can be used for therapy sessions.
View images of the new Child Safety and Wellbeing Health Service
Be the hero in their story
You can become an architect of better beginnings; an ambassador of brighter futures.
With your help, the doctors and nurses at Flinders Medical Centre can continue to provide the best care to children and their families, in the best environment.
Donate today.
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Flinders Drive
Bedford Park 5042 SA
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Flinders Foundation acknowledges the Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the land on which the Flinders precinct was established. We acknowledge the Kaurna people’s deep and ongoing connection to land, waters and community, and pay our respect to their Elders, past and present.
