Case management of young children with behaviour and mental health disorders in school

Abstract

WHEN YOUNG CHILDREN WITH behaviour and mental health disorders do not receive appropriate specialised support their problems can escalate over time. Their parents find the transition to and early years of schooling stressful and difficult. This paper argues that case management can be an effective strategy for this group of children. Although there is a body of literature on the topic of case management in schools, most of it supportive of this as a strategy, the bulk of the literature consists of policy discussion and anecdotal evidence; there is very little research in the area. This is especially true of the critical area of early childhood and the transition to and early years of schooling.