Children in out‐of‐home care: Does routine health screening improve outcomes?

Abstract

Comprehensive health screening of children in care is likely to benefit a child's health, although this could not be determined. Agencies responsible for placing children in care need systems in place to ensure better inter-agency collaboration between the health system and community services. This should help improve health outcomes.

The health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out‐of‐home care

“…The high rate of health needs is likely to be attributable to many factors, including: The neglect and/or abuse that was the primary reason for involvement of Child Protective Services and placement in OOHC Trauma related to removal from family. A lack of utilisation of regular health services, including lack of response to and/or follow‐up of health needs prior to and while in OOHC The nature of OOHC: Where multiple short placements often result in further attachment issues and trauma. Health and development issues being unnoticed by short‐term carers. The child being lost to follow‐up by individual services because of the placement instability …”

“…Several models for the provision of health care for children in OOHC have been developed. Essentially, they have the following common features: A preliminary health check on entry to OOHC. A comprehensive health and developmental assessment provided by a specialist service. A referral system and specialised services to address identified needs Ongoing monitoring and assessment of health and development. …”

“…6,7 The limited literature documenting the health, mental health and development issues of children in OOHC in Australia consistently shows high rates of unmet health, mental health and developmental needs. [7][8][9] 1 To document the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adolescents in OOHC seen by the paediatric service at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) between February 2014 and February 2016 2 To make sure the study was conducted with cultural governance, specifically in the collection, analysis and use of data.…”

Caring for vulnerable children: Challenges of mothering in the Australian foster care system

“…Given the signifi cant infl uence foster carers have on foster children (Riggs et al, 2009a;Schofi eld & Beek, 2005b) and the impact maternal well-being has on child well-being (Streisand, Mackey, & Herge, 2010) there is a clear need to support and assist foster mothers. In so doing, the health and well-being of the vulnerable children living in foster care, as well as their carers, can be optimised (Marcellus, 2010).…”

Health of Southern Tasmanian 4‐ to 6‐year‐old children in out‐of‐home care compared to peers

“…The Royal Australasian College of Physicians has identified the need for comprehensive screening clinics in their Paediatric Policy in 2006 . Multidisciplinary health screening clinics may be better at recognising developmental and psychological health issues than standard health‐care settings …”