CWTE: How to talk to families about forensic concerns

Discussions about child abuse are stressful - for both clinicians and carers. Dr Anne Smith (Director of the Victorian Forensic Paediatric Medical Services) ​talks to us about how to navigate these tricky conversations.

The Victorian Forensic Paediatric Medical Services (VFPMS) has state-wide responsibilities in relation to forensic medical assessments and care for abused, assaulted and neglected children. The service structure is a 'hub and spoke' model, with a Melbourne-based 'hub' at two sites - the Royal Children's and Monash Children's Hospitals - and 'spokes' in regional Victoria at the major hospitals and health services. The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, governs the VFPMS and provides administrative oversight. We encourage early consultation with the VFPMS when concerns arise regarding child maltreatment. Early conversations regarding concerns about child maltreatment may minimise later complications and reduce angst experienced by abused or neglected children, their family members and the professionals who care for them. Services provided at The Royal Children's Hospital and Monash Medical Centre can be arranged by calling 1300 66 11 42.

Resources:

Information on how to refer to the VFPMS: https://www.rch.org.au/vfpms/refer/

Information about guidelines for forensic assessment and learning tools: https://www.rch.org.au/vfpms/guidelines/

Information about learning tools: https://www.rch.org.au/vfpms/tools/

PODCAST DISCLAIMER:

This podcast has been produced by The Education Hub, a collaboration between the Royal Children's Hospital and the University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics.

The producers have made considerable efforts to ensure the information contained in the podcast is accurate, evidence-based and up to date at the time of publication however t​he information and advice offered is intended as a guide only and does not replace the need for clinical expertise and the application of clinical judgment to each individual presentation.

This podcast should not be reproduced without the written permission of The Education Hub (education.hub@rch.org.au​).