FMC Child Safety and Wellbeing Health Service (CSWHS)

Cheesman Architects was approached by the Flinders Foundation with a heartfelt mission — to help find a better home for the Flinders Medical Centre’s Child Protection Service (CPS). As long-time supporters of the service, the Foundation was determined to improve the environment for some of the hospital’s most vulnerable patients, and we were honoured to be part of that journey.

For too long, the CPS has operated out of inadequate facilities. These aging spaces, fall short of supporting the sensitive and complex needs of the children and families who rely on the service. Sadly, the condition of the environment has also contributed to increased distress among patients and made it harder to retain the dedicated, experienced staff who deliver this critical care.

Through extensive master planning, feasibility studies, and deep consultation with health professionals and service leaders, we've developed a range of design solutions that respond to evolving clinical, emotional, and operational needs.

Our design response was grounded in empathy, with a focus on creating a place where children feel safe, heard, and human — not just patients. At the heart of the design sits a symbolic tree in the waiting area, a gentle gathering point where children can sit, read, play, or simply be children.

This natural, welcoming element became the anchor for a broader garden-themed environment, drawing inspiration from trees, flowers, insects, animals, and vegetables — a visual and tactile narrative that softens the clinical and supports healing.

Importantly, the spaces were designed not only for young children but also for adolescents. We considered their need for privacy, autonomy, and engagement. The integration of technology, including tablets and digital interaction points, became a key part of making the environment inclusive and supportive for older children and teens.