Our approach
The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Complex Clinical Obesity Assessment Service is a multidisciplinary service provided by the Department of Neurodevelopment and Disability. The service operates as a hub-and-spoke model of care, providing specialist assessment for children and young people experiencing complex clinical obesity and neurodevelopmental disability.
We work in partnership with referring doctors, young people, families and other healthcare professionals to support ongoing care and management. This may include referrals to community services or other specialist services (when obesity related health complications require further assessment or treatment).
The Complex Clinical Obesity Assessment Service, previously known as the Weight Management Service, was renamed to better reflect our commitment to recognising obesity as a complex, chronic condition rather than focusing solely on weight management. This shift emphasises our focus on understanding the biological, developmental, environmental and social factors that contribute to health and wellbeing, and on providing compassionate, evidence‑based, trauma-informed care that values lived experience and supports each young person’s goals.
Our philosophy
We recognise obesity as a complex, chronic condition that is shaped by biological, developmental, environmental and social factors. Effective care often requires a long‑term, multidisciplinary approach that prioritises health outcomes, wellbeing and quality of life.
Our service is committed to providing compassionate, evidence‑based, family‑centred care. We acknowledge that living in a larger body is not always associated with health complications and that young people living in larger bodies frequently encounter weight stigma and bias in healthcare and the broader community. We also recognise that harm can be caused when weight is viewed as a pathology and when a young person’s lived experience, strengths and interests are overlooked. These experiences can affect physical and mental health, self‑esteem, social participation and engagement in healthcare.
We strive to create a safe, respectful and inclusive environment where young people and families feel heard and supported. Our approach is neuroaffirming, trauma-informed and guided by principles of informed care. We focus on health and wellbeing rather than just weight or body size. We work collaboratively with families and carers to develop realistic, meaningful plans that reflect each young person’s needs, goals and lived experience.
Clinic information
The Complex Clinical Obesity Assessment Clinic is held on a Thursday. The clinic consists of a multidisciplinary team of specialist doctors, dietitians, a psychologist and social worker.
We also work closely with many departments and services across the RCH including: