NSW Minister for Health and Regional Health, The Hon. Ryan Park MP, today officially opened the Karitane Fairfield Integrated Child and Family Hub, a new community-based hub bringing together parenting, health and family support services for families during the critical first 2,000 days of a child’s life.
Designed with families, for families, the Hub reflects a growing recognition that children and families achieve the best outcomes when support is connected, accessible and available early. By strengthening collaboration between services and making support easier to access, the Hub aims to improve outcomes for children while helping families feel confident, connected and supported from pregnancy through to five years of age.
Grainne O’Loughlin, Chief Executive Officer, Karitane, said:
“Every child deserves the best start in life and every family deserves the opportunity to feel confident, connected and supported as they navigate the early years of parenting. The Karitane Fairfield Integrated Child and Family Hub is more than a building or a collection of services. It is a welcoming community space where families can build relationships, access trusted support, connect with their community and find help when and how they need it. Designed with families, for families, this Hub reflects what is possible when government, philanthropy, community organisations and families come together around a shared commitment to helping children grow, learn and thrive. We are incredibly proud to see this vision become a reality.”
The Hub was made possible through a $13 million investment, including $6.5 million from the NSW Government and $6.5 million from Paul Ramsay Foundation (PRF).
The Hon. Ryan Park MP, Minister for Health and Regional Health, said:
“We know just how important it is to support parents early, so they have access to the tools and resources to ensure children are given the best possible start in life. The new Karitane Fairfield Integrated Child and Family Hub represents a significant step forward in enhancing access to support services for local families with young children.
By integrating parenting support, child and family health services, and community‑based care services, local families are able to seek advice and support from a diverse range of skilled professionals all under the one roof.“
Located in Carramar on Darug land, the Hub offers a range of parenting, health and family support services, including Karitane’s Parenting Centre, Toddler Behaviour Clinic, Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Services, Community Programs and dedicated Service Navigators. Service Navigators play a key role in connecting families with coordinated support across health and community services, helping families navigate the service system and access the care that best meets their needs.
The Hub also brings together partner organisations including South Western Sydney Local Health District, Playgroup NSW, STARTTS, 54 Reasons, Justice Support Centre, Uniting, Fair Foundations, The Parks, Woodville Alliance, EACH and research partners from UNSW Sydney and the University of Sydney.
Paul Ramsay Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Kristy Muir, said:
“The Karitane Fairfield Integrated Child and Family Hub demonstrates what is possible when organisations come together around the needs of children and families. By working differently and investing together, we can create support that is more connected, accessible and responsive to community needs. PRF is proud to partner with Karitane, the NSW Government and local organisations to help ensure children and families have what they need to thrive.”
The Hub has also received support from Snow Foundation, which contributed $250,000 towards strengthening support for women and families during the early years of parenting.
Georgina Byron, CEO, Snow Foundation, said:
“Early parenting is one of the most demanding seasons of a woman’s life, and access to the right support at the right time can change everything. The Karitane Fairfield Integrated Child and Family Hub is a strong example of our Gender Impact theme in action – investing in women during the early years of parenting, when care responsibilities and mental health pressures are often at their peak.”
In addition to direct service delivery, the Hub will be home to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Centre of Research Excellence in Strengths-based Tiered Access to Resources and Supports (STARS-CRE), led by Scientia Professor Valsamma Eapen from UNSW Sydney Medicine and Health’s Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health. The Centre’s aim is to promote optimal child development outcomes by addressing inequity in health and developmental service access for children.
Scientia Professor Valsamma Eapen, Director, STARS-CRE, said:
“Research shows that children and families benefit most when support is accessible, coordinated and available early. Through STARS-CRE, we have an opportunity to generate new evidence about what works, strengthen equity of access and help shape future models of care for children and families across Australia. The Karitane Fairfield Integrated Child and Family Hub provides an opportunity to transform how services are delivered and evaluated, ensuring that no child is left behind because of their cultural, linguistic, geographic or socioeconomic background”
