Ngaramadhi Space: An Integrated, Multisector Model of Care for Students Experiencing Problematic Externalising Behaviour

Santuri Rungan; Susan Gardner; Huei-Ming Liu; Susan Woolfenden; Jennifer Smith-Merry; John Eastwood

doi:10.5334/ijic.7612

Ngaramadhi Space: An Integrated, Multisector Model of Care for Students Experiencing Problematic Externalising Behaviour

Int J Integr Care. 2023 Dec 14;23(4):19. doi: 10.5334/ijic.7612. eCollection 2023 Oct-Dec.

Authors

Santuri Rungan¹, Susan Gardner², Huei-Ming Liu³, Susan Woolfenden^{4

5}, Jennifer Smith-Merry⁶, John Eastwood^{7

8

9}

Affiliations

¹ Sydney Local Health District, University of Sydney, Sydney Institute for Women, Children & their Families, AU.
² Sydney Local Health District, AU.
³ The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, AU.
⁴ Sydney Local Health District, University of Sydney, AU.
⁵ Sydney Institute Women, Children and their Families, University of New South Wales, AU.
⁶ Centre for Disability Research and Policy, Sydney School of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, AU.
⁷ University of New South Wales, Sydney, AU.
⁸ Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, AU.
⁹ University of Sydney, Sydney Institute for Women, Children and their Families and Sydney Local Health District, AU.

Abstract

Introduction: Behavioural and emotional disorders are a significant cause of morbidity for young people aged 10-19 years. School-based health care (SBHC) provides an innovative approach to addressing these issues within Australia.

Description: We describe an innovative and integrative SBHC model called Ngaramadhi Space (NS) based at a specialised behavioural school called Yudi Gunyi school (YGS) in metropolitan Sydney, Australia. NS was developed in partnership with the Aboriginal community to provide holistic, integrated, multidisciplinary child and family centred care to students experiencing problematic externalising behaviour. We contextualise the historical factors leading to the development of NS, highlighting the importance of effective partnerships between sectors, and providing the theoretical framework and key components underpinning the model of care.

Discussion: In Australia, schools are an under-utilised resource for the delivery of health and support alongside education. Collaboration between sectors can be challenging but allows a more coordinated approach to the management of complex social and health issues. By forming effective partnerships with schools and communities, the health sector has an opportunity to improve access to health and social care in a culturally safe and acceptable way. This is in line with national and international frameworks for improving health service delivery and addressing inequity.

Conclusion: The health sector can play a pivotal role in improving the wellbeing of children by forming effective partnerships with schools and communities. The NS model is a practice-based example of this.

Keywords: Healthy Homes and Neighbourhoods (HHAN); National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy; health promoting schools; partnerships between health and education; school based health care.

Publication types

Case Reports