- System putting vulnerable kids 'at risk'
- The Age - AAP
- 09/12/2008 Make a Comment
- Contributed by: The Rooster ( 264 articles in 2008 )
Vulnerable children are being put at even greater risk of harm because of a lack of early intervention and protection services.
Despite a surge in the number of reported child abuse and neglect cases, an Australian Institute of Family Studies review of the nation's child protection systems found many are not being followed up.
More than 150 cases of child abuse and neglect are reported to authorities each day, but less than one in five are substantiated, the research showed.
The increase in cases has resulted in more resources being used for investigation and assessment rather than prevention and treatment.
Many cases which are found to be unsubstantiated still require follow-up services which are simply not there.
Research author Dr Daryl Higgins says there is a serious lack of resources available for prevention and treatment services.
"This means families with high-level needs, but unsubstantiated abuse, wind up receiving little or no service to help them," Dr Higgins said.
Dr Higgins said the lack of follow-up services was having an adverse impact on children who came in contact with the system.
"It can be extremely traumatic."
The researchers say a shift away from a forensically-driven approach to child protection is needed, as well as a significant injection of resources into all levels of services.
"We need to move to a better, more family-focused system and we need the support of professionals and policy makers across jurisdictions," Dr Higgins said.
The federal and state governments are working on a $2.6 million national child protection framework, which is due to be rolled out next year.
Despite a surge in the number of reported child abuse and neglect cases, an Australian Institute of Family Studies review of the nation's child protection systems found many are not being followed up.
More than 150 cases of child abuse and neglect are reported to authorities each day, but less than one in five are substantiated, the research showed.
The increase in cases has resulted in more resources being used for investigation and assessment rather than prevention and treatment.
Many cases which are found to be unsubstantiated still require follow-up services which are simply not there.
Research author Dr Daryl Higgins says there is a serious lack of resources available for prevention and treatment services.
"This means families with high-level needs, but unsubstantiated abuse, wind up receiving little or no service to help them," Dr Higgins said.
Dr Higgins said the lack of follow-up services was having an adverse impact on children who came in contact with the system.
"It can be extremely traumatic."
The researchers say a shift away from a forensically-driven approach to child protection is needed, as well as a significant injection of resources into all levels of services.
"We need to move to a better, more family-focused system and we need the support of professionals and policy makers across jurisdictions," Dr Higgins said.
The federal and state governments are working on a $2.6 million national child protection framework, which is due to be rolled out next year.
Source: https://news.theage.com.au/national/system-putting-vulnerable-kids-at-risk-20081210-6v28.html
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