Evolve Program

Evolve Therapeutic Services

Evolve Therapeutic Services (ETS) is a Queensland Health tertiary mental health service, providing mental health assessment and intervention to meet the therapeutic needs of children and young people in care. This includes interventions with children/ young people, their carers and their care teams, based upon mental health assessment findings and recommendations.

The key focus of ETS is to provide planned and coordinated mental health therapeutic support to children and young people in care, aimed at improving emotional wellbeing and the development of skills to enhance participation in community (and school).

ETS trauma informed practice is based upon theoretical foundations of: trauma, attachment, child development, systems theory, grief & loss, and culture. ETS works collaboratively with stakeholders to provide 'wrap around' supports for children and young people.

ETS multi-disciplinary teams include: Psychiatrist, and allied health professionals (Social Workers, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, Clinical Nurses) in the roles of : Team Leader, Senior Mental Health Clinicians, Mental Health Clinicians and Professional Development Coordinators. Numerous teams also have Indigenous Program Coordinators.

More information regarding Evolve Therapeutic Services is available from Queensland Health.

Referral to Evolve Therapeutic Services

Referrals can only be made by Child Safety staff by completing an Evolve Therapeutic Service Referral Form. The eligibility criteria to make a referral to the Evolve program include:

  • the child is in care and under an interim or finalised child protection order granting custody or guardianship to the chief executive of the department and
  • the child is under the age of 18 and
  • the child presents with severe and complex psychological and/or behavioural problems.

Further information on how Child Safety makes a referral to the Evolve program can be found in the Child Safety Practice Manual.

Evolve Therapeutic Services contacts

There are 10 ETS multi-disciplinary teams across the state (plus a sole clinician hosted in Mt Isa).

Brisbane North (including Redcliffe & Caboolture) 07 3355 8999
Brisbane South 07 3087 2200
Cairns 07 4226 3444
Gold Coast 07 5687 9300
Ipswich 07 3813 6270
Logan 07 3412 1500
Mt Isa 07 4749 3821
Rockhampton (including Emerald & Gladstone) 07 4920 5700
Sunshine Coast (including Gympie, Kingaroy, Bundaberg & Hervey Bay) 07 5202 9500
Toowoomba 07 4616 5365
Townsville (including Mackay) 07 4799 9004