The challenges of being a “Fish out of Water”

Working in multi-disciplinary teams in non-traditional

disciplines

Bridget Allison & Dr. Kirsten McKenzieNational Centre for Classification in Health

Overview

• Definitions• Commission for Children, Young

People and Child Guardian• National Centre for Classification in

Health• Working in multi-disciplinary teams• Challenges• Benefits

Definitions

• Commission for Children, Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG)

• National Centre for Classification in Health (NCCH)

CCYPCG• HIM services provided to the Child Death

Review Team of CCYPCG by NCCH through an agreement with CCYPCG.

• New position modelled on similar arrangements between NCCH Brisbane and other agencies

• The HIM is seconded three days a week to the Child Death Review team and works the other two days a week supporting NCCH Brisbane’s research program.

Child Death Review Background

• NSW and Victoria have established Child Death Review Teams (CDRT)

• Queensland Ombudsman and Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) both recommended implementation of a CDRT in Queensland

Child Death Review Background (cont.)

• Queensland Ombudsman reviews of the deaths of two children and there contact with Queensland Government Departments

• CMC Inquiry into foster care in Queensland, know as the ‘Protecting Children’ Inquiry in 2003

Child Death Review Team• Recommendations that the Commission for Children, Young

People expand its role to:

– To maintain a register of deaths of all children in Queensland

– To review the causes and patterns of death of children as advised by investigative agencies through a Child Death Review Committee,

– To review in detail all DCS case reviews, whether conducted internally or externally, regarding the deaths of children in care and those who had been notified to DCS, within the three years prior to their deaths

– To conduct broader research focusing on strategies to reduce or remove risk factors associated with child deaths that were preventable

– To prepare an annual report to the parliament and the public regarding child deaths

(CMC, 2004: 166)

• Changes to Legislation• Child Death Case Review

Committee• HIM duties

References:• Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 2003 [Online] [Accessed

29 April 2005] Available: http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/B/BirthsDMA03.pdf

• Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act 2000 [Online] [Accessed 29 April 2005] Available: http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/C/CommisChildA00.pdf

• Coroners Act 2003 [Online] [Accessed 29 April 2005] Available: http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/C/CoronersA03.pdf

• Crime and Misconduct Commission. Protecting Children: An inquiry into abuse of children in foster care [Online] 2004 [Accessed 15 April 2005]. Available: http://www.cmc.qld.gov.au/library/CMCWEBSITE/ProtectingChildren.pdf

• Queensland Ombudsman. Report of the Queensland Ombudsman: An investigation into the adequacy of the actions of certain government agencies in relation to the safety, well being and care of the late baby Kate, who died aged 10 weeks. 'Baby Kate Report' [Online] 2003 [Accessed 29 April 2005]. Available: http://www.ombudsman.qld.gov.au/publications/pdfs/OMB-3281%20Baby%20Kate.pdf

• Queensland Ombudsman. Report of the Queensland Ombudsman: An investigation into the adequacy of the actions of certain government agencies in relation to the safety of the late Brooke Brennan, aged three. [Online] 2002 [Accessed 29 April 2005]. Available: http://www.ombudsman.qld.gov.au/complaint/pdfs/brooke_brennan_report.pdf