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Allowah

About us

About Allowah

Allowah has been providing specialty care and support for kids with complex disabilities and medical needs for over 70 years. We provide paediatric disability support services, hospital care, respite / short term accommodation and allied health therapies.

We are both a fully accredited paediatric rehabilitation hospital and an NDIS registered disability support provider. Located in a modern, bright and light facility in Dundas Valley, Sydney, NSW. We support children and young people who have physical and intellectual disabilities such as genetic or chromosomal disorders, birth trauma, cerebral palsy, head injuries, and conditions acquired after birth.

The children we support live with complex disabilities and medical needs and often require a high level of medical care. The transdisciplinary approach to the provision of support through Allowah Disability Support Services is key. Allowah has the staff, facilities and expertise that gives parents and carers peace-of-mind and the support they need. 

Our staff are exceptional in the way they care for the children. Our child-centred approach provides children and their carers with respect, dignity, emotional and spiritual support within a Christian environment in a way that maximises quality of life. We welcome children and families from all faiths, denominations and backgrounds.

Our Vision

Our vision is to partner with parents and carers to deliver exceptional health, therapy and support services for children with complex disabilities and health care needs that enables them to thrive and achieve their full potential in a way that seeks justice and shows mercy in Jesus’ name for children and their families.

Our People

Jericho Road is the justice and mercy ministry of the Presbyterian Church in NSW, which oversees and operates various ministries like Allowah, chaplains, counselling and so much more. Jericho Road’s purpose is to work with and for the Presbyterian Church in NSW to demonstrate the character of God by providing fresh hope and care for those who are in need, in a way that seeks justice, shows mercy, and makes Jesus known.

While we are a Christian organisation, Allowah actively respects the child’s and family’s culture, values and beliefs. Allowah is part of Jericho Road, but the two are separate business units. 

When a donation is made to Allowah, this is honoured and goes directly to supporting the children and young people who use Allowah’s services.

Our History

'Allowah' Babies Hospital, Artarmon - c.1954

Allowah’s history traces back to the North Shore of Sydney, some time around the 1940s-50s. It was known by various names including ‘Allowah Babies Hospital’ and ‘Allowah Babies Nursery’. By the mid-1950s, Allowah was operating from a small house in Broughton Street, Artarmon, where they cared for young infants with various disabilities.

Since then, we have moved to beautiful Dundas Valley and are a fully licensed paediatric hospital and disability support services provider. 

It is our hope and dream that we will continue to operate for many years to come and keep on caring for and supporting children and their families.

Allowah Presbyterian Children's Hospital, Dundas Valley.

Do you have information about Allowah’s history? We’d love to hear from you!
Send us an email at supportus@allowah.org.au and help us piece together the history of this special hospital.

Our Values

The values of Allowah are grounded in the Christian faith, acknowledging that the Lord our God is one, and that we should love him with all our souls and with all our minds and with all our strength (Mark 12:29,30). Our values shape what we do every day. But what does that look like?

HUMILITY We will:

        • seek to meet the needs of others before addressing our own needs; and
        •  work with a servant heart. Matt 20:25-28

INTEGRITY & TRUTH We will:

        •  speak honestly and openly to all with sensitivity and care;
        •  speak without fear if an error has been made; and
        •  be slow to judge when mistakes are reported. 2 Cor. 4:1-2

COMPASSION We will:

        • show generous care to children and families;
        • provide practical assistance in a kind and gentle manner;
        • meet the needs of others as soon as we can;
        • not rush our services to meet deadlines that don’t put the child first; and
        • ensure we have time to care. Col. 3:12, Mark 12:31

JUSTICE We will:

        • encourage the abilities of children;
        • foster the potential of children to achieve to their capacity;
        • support and encourage a workplace that is fair and just; and
        • advocate where we can on behalf of children and families. Gen 1:27

Our Commitment to Child Safety

We recognise the right of all children and young people to live free from harm, abuse and exploitation.

We believe that Allowah ought to be a place of safety and refuge for children, young people, and others, that they be, and feel, safe from any threat when at Allowah or involved in activities operated by Allowah, or accessing services provided by Allowah.

We believe that Allowah should be a place where people can disclose abuse and have it dealt with effectively.

When making decisions about children and young people, the main consideration must be their safety, welfare, and wellbeing.

We recognise, welcome and uphold the Child Safe Standards at Allowah. These are:

    1. Child safety is embedded in institutional leadership, governance, and culture.
    2. Children participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
    3. Families and communities are informed and involved.
    4. Equity is upheld and diverse needs are taken into account.
    5. People working with children are suitable and supported.
    6. Processes to respond to complaints of child sexual abuse are child focused.
    7. Staff are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and awareness to keep children safe through continual education and training.
    8. Physical and online environments minimise the opportunity for abuse to occur.
    9. Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is continuously reviewed and improved.
    10. Policies and procedures document how the institution is child safe.

Parent Partnership

Parents and carers play an integral role at Allowah. Our family-centred approach aims to deliver exceptional health, therapy and support services for children with complex disabilities and health care needs that enables them to thrive and achieve their full potential. We do this by partnering with parents and carers, gaining their input and evaluation around the delivery of care and support provided by our service.

Thank you for your patience as we update our website to reflect Allowah’s next chapter and the changes announced in June this year. If you have any questions, please contact our CEO Elizabeth McClean at emmclean@pcnsw.org.au.

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