Cocoon Program
The Cocoon Program is a dedicated clinic for babies under 12 months who are both medically vulnerable and in foster care, or at risk of entering foster care. More than general healthcare, Cocoon addresses the emotional, physical, and mental health needs of these vulnerable babies in one place, streamlining care during their crucial first year.
The Cocoon team comprises a specialised Clinical Coordinator, a Neonatal Paediatrician, a General Paediatrician, an Infant Mental Health Clinician, a Social Worker, an Aboriginal Cultural Consultant and a Senior Physiotherapist, ensuring each baby receives comprehensive, tailored care.
For many caregivers, navigating healthcare for a vulnerable baby can be complex and overwhelming. Multiple appointments and coordinating information between specialists can be daunting, making it difficult to ensure timely intervention for health or developmental needs. Cocoon simplifies this process, providing families with coordinated support and ensuring infants receive the right care at the right time.
Funded initially by the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation, Cocoon now has ongoing support from the South Australian Government, securing its future and continuing to deliver essential care for South Australia’s most vulnerable babies.
For further information, including how to refer a patient visit here.
Alternatively, please contact Health.WCHNCocoonCoordinator@sa.gov.au
Support for caregivers
By April 2025, 132 infants had been supported by the Cocoon Program, with families describing the program as life-changing, highlighting its unique ability to pick up health concerns early and provide the right support at the right time.
Kate* and her partner have been fostering babies since 2012, and they have noticed a great difference in care since the program began. Babies can be referred for a number of reasons, including feeding issues, failure to thrive, developmental concerns, or delays in reaching milestones.
Kate says, “There is this level of continuity and consistency. Somebody is holding the entire case, which feels different. I have access to a specialised and diverse team who can support the job I am doing, so that together we can achieve better outcomes for our vulnerable children.”
Carers like Kate visit the Cocoon Program every few months and are able to see all the clinicians they need in a single day, reducing hospital visits and making the process much easier.
The Cocoon Program also empowers carers to advocate for the children in their care, helping them receive the right care in a timely manner. Kate says the program has allowed her to no longer feel as though she is just a “temporary” carer, but instead a vital part of a child’s early development. She says, “I feel valued, I feel respected, I feel heard, I feel supported.”
*Please note that while names and images have been changed for privacy, this situation is very real and reflects how important this wrap-around care is for vulnerable babies.
