Case Management

What is Case Management?

Case Management within the Brain Injury Service at The Children's Hospital at Westmead is an outreach service for children and young people with an acquired brain injury, their family, school and community. The Case Manager is the link between the Brain Injury Service, family, school or preschool and key people in the community such as therapists. The Case Manager provides information and support about acquired brain injury and the impact this has on all aspects of the life of a child and their family. Case Management is a goal-focussed service provided at key times which aims to support and empower parents during the rehabilitation process.

What is the Role of the Case Manager?

Once a child/young person returns home, the family and Case Manager work in partnership to look at areas of need such as returning to school, ongoing therapy, home support and community activities. Home and school visits are offered in addition to phone contact. The length of time and frequency of contact with a Case Manager is dependent upon the needs of the child. However, Case Management services may be offered long term with the degree of involvement changing according to recovery, development and key times of a child's life, e.g. commencing preschool, primary or high school.

Liaison with Schools

A Case Manager can be involved with assisting a child's or young person's return to school by providing information and education to the school about the effect of the brain injury upon all aspects of schooling (learning in the classroom, socialisation in the playground and behaviour). The Case Manager can act as a consultant for concerns that may be raised in the school environment, participate in relevant meetings such as Integration and Individual Educational Planning Reviews, as well as assisting with long term educational planning.

Liaison with Community Services

The Case Manager can provide information to the family about appropriate community services such as therapy, respite and attendant care. In partnership with the family, the Case Manager can make referrals and assist with clear communication between services and persons involved with the child/young person.

Liaison with Insurance Companies and Solicitors

Many children sustain their injury in motor vehicle related accidents, either as a passenger or pedestrian. If a child/young person has an insurance claim, through the NSW Third Party Scheme or other insurance scheme, the Case Manager can act as an advocate for the child/young person and family to make requests for specific rehabilitation services which might be met under the Motor Accidents Act. The Case Manager is then required to submit a rehabilitation plan to the insurance company describing a child's/young person's rehabilitation needs, their progress and rehabilitation goals. The Case Manager will also have regular phone contact with the insurance rehabilitation advisor. The Case Manager may also keep the child's/young person's solicitor informed of ongoing rehabilitation needs.

Who Receives Case Management?

A child/young person can be referred for case management when they are an inpatient or as an outpatient through the intake process.