The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

We checked the records of 6,000 kids entering care. Only a fraction received recommended health checks

  • Written by Karen McLean, Paediatrician, Royal Children’s Hospital; Research officer, Murdoch Children's Research Institute
We checked the records of 6,000 kids entering care. Only a fraction received recommended health checks

More than 10,000 Victorian children and young people[1] live with a foster or kinship (relative) carer. They enter such care because of court orders aiming to protect them from abuse or neglect.

These children have more physical, developmental and mental health needs than others, which is why they are meant to have a number of health checks when they enter care.

But when we checked the records of more than 6,000 children who were in foster or kinship care for the first time, we found just 41 of them[2] had attended all of the recommended health appointments.

Read more: For children in foster care, the coronavirus pandemic could be extremely destabilising[3]

High needs

The health needs of children in out-of-home care are high[4] across all areas of health. Around half will have behavioural, mental health and developmental problems. Most have some physical health concern, such as asthma, constipation or hearing difficulties.

These high rates are not surprising, given their experiences of abuse, neglect or trauma and increased likelihood of living in adverse socioeconomic circumstances. This is why there are National Standards for out-of-home care[5] which specifically state that health needs need to be assessed and addressed in a timely manner.

There is also a national framework[6], adopted by Victoria, that spells out the details: an initial health check by 30 days and a thorough check within three months, led by a paediatrician and including hearing, vision and dental checks.

Nine years ago, specialised health care clinics with paediatricians, psychologists and speech pathologists were established[7] in some areas of Melbourne for vulnerable children to provide a comprehensive assessment and develop health management plans. Such clinics are now in Gippsland too, but they have not been rolled out to the rest of the state.

In the handbook for foster carers[8], Victorians are told to take a child to a GP, dentist, optometrist and for a hearing test within a month. The comprehensive health check is not mentioned.

We were concerned many children were missing out on these important health visits that could identify health issues and make a plan to address them. So we applied for federal and state de-identified administrative health data for Victorian children in care. This showed us health visits through Medicare (say, for GPs and optometrists) and at Victorian community, mental, dental and hospital outpatient health services.

Read more: Does the government's new national plan to combat child sexual abuse go far enough?[9]

Too little, too late

We looked at health visits for all children who entered care and stayed at least three months – long enough to see a doctor. We analysed visits within the first year of care to all the recommended health professionals: GPs, paediatricians, dentists, optometrists and audiologists.

We found only one in every 130 children attended all the services within 12 months (far fewer attended all services within three months). It was good to see nine out of ten children saw a GP – but only 37% saw one within the recommended 30 days.

Using Medicare data meant we couldn’t see why a child had gone to the GP – it’s likely some visits were not for a check-up, but were for a specific issue or illness. About one-third of children made it to a paediatrician within a year, but less than 20% saw an optometrist, audiologist or community dentist. Very few attended these services within three months.

Because we looked at data over more than five years, we could see that in areas where a dedicated specialised health clinic was started up to provide health assessments, more children attended paediatricians, audiologists and optometrists. Even before the strains the COVID pandemic has placed on our health system, foster and kinship carers said there were not enough health services[10] and very long waiting lists at those that did exist.

To make sure access to health care does not depend upon a child’s postcode, we need statewide paediatric health services that can provide health assessments and ongoing care.

Those children in foster care had higher odds of attending all health services than those in kinship care. We think this is because kinship carers do not receive as much training, support or financial compensation as foster carers. While it is good Victoria has world-leading rates of kinship care – children in kinship care tend to have better outcomes for behavioural and mental health[11] than children in foster care – it is important all children in care get access to health assessments and the services they need.

Little girl in health care setting with bandaid or arm
Victorian kids in out-of-home care are supposed to have an initial health check by 30 days and a thorough check within three months. Unsplash/CDC, CC BY[12][13]

Read more: Reunifying First Nations families: the only way to reduce the overrepresentation of children in out-of-home care[14]

Listen to those inside the system

To improve these rates, and to get in early to meet children’s health needs, we need to address what carers have told us present barriers to health care[15]. They report limited paediatric and mental health services and difficulty navigating the systems.

Bureaucratic delays in providing Medicare numbers to carers[16] and getting consent for health care need to be reduced. We could, as in the United Kingdom[17], make health assessments a legal requirement of care.

More data is also important. Our research only looked at Victorian children – each state and territory has its own approach to health care for children in care. But there are no publicly available data anywhere in Australia, and therefore no public accountability for some of the children who need it the most.

Because it takes years to get permission, analyse data and publish, we do not yet know the impact of COVID upon this group of children. With reports of worsened mental health[18] and longer wait times for services, it is unlikely things have improved.

If we have a system that removes children from families when we believe they are being harmed or their needs neglected, then we need to make sure we don’t overlook them any further.

References

  1. ^ 10,000 Victorian children and young people (www.education.vic.gov.au)
  2. ^ just 41 of them (www.sciencedirect.com)
  3. ^ For children in foster care, the coronavirus pandemic could be extremely destabilising (theconversation.com)
  4. ^ health needs of children in out-of-home care are high (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  5. ^ National Standards for out-of-home care (www.dss.gov.au)
  6. ^ national framework (www1.health.gov.au)
  7. ^ were established (www.health.vic.gov.au)
  8. ^ handbook for foster carers (services.dffh.vic.gov.au)
  9. ^ Does the government's new national plan to combat child sexual abuse go far enough? (theconversation.com)
  10. ^ said there were not enough health services (www.sciencedirect.com)
  11. ^ better outcomes for behavioural and mental health (jamanetwork.com)
  12. ^ Unsplash/CDC (images.unsplash.com)
  13. ^ CC BY (creativecommons.org)
  14. ^ Reunifying First Nations families: the only way to reduce the overrepresentation of children in out-of-home care (theconversation.com)
  15. ^ present barriers to health care (www.sciencedirect.com)
  16. ^ providing Medicare numbers to carers (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  17. ^ United Kingdom (www.gov.uk)
  18. ^ worsened mental health (link.springer.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/we-checked-the-records-of-6-000-kids-entering-care-only-a-fraction-received-recommended-health-checks-177634

The Times Features

Understanding the Dangers of Ignoring a Gas Leak

Gas leaks are silent threats lurking within both homes and workplaces. A gas leak occurs when natural gas or any other gaseous substance escapes from a pipeline or containment. T...

Can You Sell Your House Privately in Queensland? Here’s How

Selling a house privately in Queensland is entirely possible and can be a cost-effective alternative to using a real estate agent. While agents provide valuable expertise, their co...

Itinerary to Maximize Your Two-Week Adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia

Two weeks may not seem like much, but it’s just the right time for travelers to explore the best of Vietnam and Cambodia. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the magnificent te...

How to Protect Your Garden Trees from Wind Damage in Australia

In Australia's expansive landscape, garden trees hold noteworthy significance. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of our homes but also play an integral role in the local...

Brisbane Homeowners Warned: Non-Compliant Flexible Hoses Pose High Flood Risk

As a homeowner in Brisbane, when you think of the potential for flood damage to your home, you probably think of weather events. But you should know that there may be a tickin...

Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo: Nourish and Revitalize Your Hair

Are you ready to transform your hair from dull and lifeless to vibrant and full of life? Look no further than the luxurious embrace of Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo! In a...

Times Magazine

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

How AI-Driven SEO Enhancements Can Improve Headless CMS Content Visibility

Whereas SEO (search engine optimization) is critical in the digital landscape for making connections to content, much of it is still done manually keyword research, metatags, final tweaks at publication requiring a human element that takes extensiv...

Crypto Expert John Fenga Reveals How Blockchain is Revolutionising Charity

One of the most persistent challenges in the charity sector is trust. Donors often wonder whether their contributions are being used effectively or if overhead costs consume a significant portion. Traditional fundraising methods can be opaque, with...

Navigating Parenting Arrangements in Australia: A Legal Guide for Parents

Understanding Parenting Arrangements in Australia. Child custody disputes are often one of the most emotionally charged aspects of separation or divorce. Parents naturally want what is best for their children, but the legal process of determining ...

Blocky Adventures: A Minecraft Movie Celebration for Your Wrist

The Minecraft movie is almost here—and it’s time to get excited! With the film set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025, fans have a brand-new reason to celebrate. To honor the upcoming blockbuster, watchfaces.co has released a special Minecraft-inspir...

The Ultimate Guide to Apple Watch Faces & Trending Wallpapers

In today’s digital world, personalization is everything. Your smartwatch isn’t just a timepiece—it’s an extension of your style. Thanks to innovative third-party developers, customizing your Apple Watch has reached new heights with stunning designs...

LayBy Shopping