Social work at The Royal Children's Hospital

Hospital Social Workers work with children and their families to help them cope with, and adjust to, their health condition.

The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) Social Work Department provides a service via referral to all inpatient wards, medical and surgical units of the hospital, and continues to work with some patients and  families after leaving the hospital.

There are a number of Social Workers in the department with specialist knowledge and skills in a range of areas, such as children's genetic conditions, transplant, critical injury, terminal illness and rehabilitation. There are also a range of bereavement programs and services for families when a child has died while a patient of this hospital. 

What is social work?

The Australian Association of Social Workers defines Social Work as 'a profession committed to helping people achieve the best possible levels of personal and social well-being'.

Social Workers complete post-graduate education that enables professional membership to the Australian Association of Social Workers . Social Workers are bound by a code of professional conduct and ethics.

More information about the profession of Social Work can be found at www.aasw.asn.au.

Manager of Social Work

Nicola Watt, B.A., B.S.W. (Hon), M.S.W., email: Nicola.Watt@rch.org.au tel: 03 9345 6111.

Business hours

The Social Work department hours are 8.30 am to midnight Monday to Friday and 10:30 am to midnight on weekends.

Our location

The Social Work Department is located on level 1, East Building.

From the main entrance on Flemington Road use the green lifts located toward the rear of main street to level 1 and Reception B Allied Health.

The Social Work Department is accessible via the reception desk in this area.