CHILD PROTECTION Northtech

Nursing Students

Our Team

•Jessica Kimberley – Team Leader (RN)

•Rachel MacKinnon – Family Violence Coordinator (SW) •Debbie Gamble-Ward – Clinical Nurse Specialist (RN)

•Vickie Rotzel – Child Protection Educator (RN)

•Andrea Waugh – Child Protection Educator (SW)

DefinitionsChild Abuse/Neglect

– The “harming (whether physically, emotionally, or sexually), ill treatment, abuse, neglect or deprivation of any child or young person” (CYPF Act 1989).

Emotional/Psychological– Any act or omission resulting in impaired psychological, social, intellectual

&/or emotional functioning & development of a child or young person.

Physical– Injuries are most usefully, as truly accidental (unusual), neglectful,

preventable (most common) or inflicted.

Sexual– An act or acts that result in the sexual exploitation of a child or young person,

whether censual or not.

Neglect– Any act of omission that results in impaired physical functioning, injury, &/or

development of a child or a young person.(Northland District Health Board Child Protection Policy & Guidelines Sept. 07)

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

A Māori Health ModelTe Whare Tapa Wha

Mason Durie 1984

Myths

Biggest myth is: - Dangers to children come from strangers.

In most cases the perpetrator is someone known to the child or parents, and is often trusted by the child and/or family

Myths cont…

All children and young people referred to Child Youth and Family for concerns of abuse will be removed from their homes

Statistics

It is estimated each year in NZ:

•Every month one child is killed through physical abuse

•9,800 children are hospitalised with preventable injuries, – 193 hospitalised for deliberate injuries in 2006

•CYFS referrals rise 15,000 annually.

Stats cont…

•From 48 children admitted to Starship Hospital in 2006 with suspicious head injuries only 20% were known to CYFS.

•All 48 children had prior visits by health professionalsResearch from Dr Patrick Kelly, Clinical Director, Starship Hospital, Auckland

“In 2003 NZ rate of child deaths from maltreatment was third - worst of 27 developed countries”.UNICEF league table 2003

So… As Health Professionals what can we do to change this?

NDHB CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Quotes and defines Child Abuse as:

“the harming (whether physically, emotionally, or sexually), ill treatment, abuse, neglect or deprivation of any child or young person”

Children Young Persons and Their Families Act 1989,

Executive Summary/RationaleThe policy provides ALL NDHB STAFF

• A framework to identify & manage actual and/or suspected child abuse & neglect

• Recognises the important role & responsibility ALL staff have

- early identification of actual abuse & neglect

- identifying children & young people who might be at risk of being abused or neglected

Child Protection Flow ChartStep 1

Recognising Abuse

Step 2Consultation

Step 3Involve Family/Whanau

Step 4Referral to Statutory Authority

Step 5Ensure Safe Plan

Step 6Documentation

SUMMARY

Healthy attitudes towards Child Protection from Health Professionals is essential

Together we can support & educate families for a safer environment for our children and young people

Nia Glassie 2004 - 2007

Thank youVickie Rotzel 021-817-291

Andrea Waugh 021-354-171