Kotara School

Courage to learn – Courage to change

Telephone02 4957 3274

Emailkotara-s.school@det.nsw.edu.au

NEXUS

Nexus is a specialist 12 bed inpatient unit accepting both voluntary and involuntary patients. It provides services for children and young people aged 5 to 18 years who present with mental health disorders that are conducive to inpatient observation and/or treatment. It is situated in the John Hunter Hospital. As of 2011. Nexus has become one of Kotara School's classes.

Patient admissions are either planned by where individuals are accepted from CAMHS, community staff or other mental health providers or acute admissions are considered from emergency departments and other inpatient facilities.

Nexus has a school room with a Teacher and School Learning Support Officer (SLSO) and school counsellor.  All patients are expected to attend and participate in school activities each weekday. Education staff liaise with medical staff and also students' home school's in order to obtain information on how to maintain a consistent and collaborative approach across settings.  This assists staff to develop appropriate management strategies and devise return to school plans.