Strengthening early identification, responsiveness and management of vulnerable children by health professionals Vicki Horrigan Senior Project Officer Vulnerable Children in Acute Health Project Department of Health Victoria

“ an integrated service system” “we are all working together to protect children” “children’s best interest are paramount” HERALD SUN 20 SEPTEMEBER 2009 THE Department of Human Services was aware of violence in the home of a two-year-old toddler more than six months before she died from massive head injuries last month. In July, before Hayley's death, Child Safety Commissioner Bernie Geary said the system had let her down. "We do the best we can with the resources we have got," he said." But we have got to be doing a lot more to protect our children. That is a community responsibility, government responsibility and as Child Safety Commissioner part of my responsibility."

If a system for protecting children is based around a statutory child protection response: How does a system integrate? How does a system promote early intervention in children’s lives? How does a system include others with specialist expertise?

What should be the role of health services within a service system which responds to vulnerable children? Health services should be a key part of any holistic response to vulnerable children Health services see thousands of children and parents each year Health services should provide medical care that is responsive to patient needs

Common assumptions: health professionals understand the child protection system health professionals know how to identify children at risk of abuse health professionals know what to do when they suspect child abuse

What we know is that many health professionals: lack confidence about identifying child abuse lack education about their role in protecting children lack understanding about the child protection system

Education of health professionals is a key strategy in developing an integrated and responsive service for vulnerable children! raises awareness of the issue of child abuse provides consistent and accurate information increases collaboration with other sectors promotes shared responsibility for the child highlights the gaps and barriers within the service system that create poor outcomes for children

In Victoria how did acute health services attempt to strengthen their management and responsiveness to vulnerable children? Established a state-wide Vulnerable Children in acute health project Vulnerable Children Project is separate from the statutory child protection system Developed a “best practice” framework for acute health services Established the Victorian Forensic Paediatric Medical Service VFPMS Developed an on-line learning resource to provide consistent information and training

How could we make education engaging and relevant for health professionals? it must be accessible it must be relevant to health services it must be short it must be interesting it must not look like a government / bureaucratic resource

How was the on-line education resource implemented? Developed and widely distributed promotional poster,pamphlet and mouse pad that also contained key information Invited leaders in the field of protecting children to launch the resource Invited health services to have local promotions of the resource Encouraged health services to develop an ongoing education plan incorporating the on-line resource

How did health services respond to introducing the on-line learning resource? Enthusiastic Renewed awareness of the important work with vulnerable children Linked into ongoing internal professional development programs Mandatory training in some health services Linked to performance appraisal processes Want more ….!

How can we find it….. its free its available to any computer with internet access its applicable to sectors outside health