This week is National Child Protection Week. This year, National Child Protection Week aims to shine a light on ensuring children growing up safe and supported.
Children and young people thrive when they grow up safe, connected and supported in their family, community and culture.
They have the right to grow up in environments that support them according to their needs, now and into the future.
If you have wandered through Monash Children’s Hospital, you will see that we support children with captivating and interactive physical surroundings. Our younger patients can enjoy the Moose Imagination Tree, music therapy and culturally safe spaces, reaffirming our proactive approach to supporting children through their development at all ages.
Jennifer Ward, Profession Lead, Social Work Monash Children’s Hospital, says that as Victoria’s largest health service, we have an important role to play in keeping children safe.
“We strive to create a supportive environment for every child we see, not only in the hospital, but also when they return home,” she says.
Jennifer credits the holistic approach that is taken when caring for children for providing a supportive environment.
“We see the bigger picture, it’s not just medical. We have input from Allied Heath and input from Mental Health.”
To better protect children and support their health and wellbeing, recent legislative changes have enabled public services such as hospitals, police, general practitioners and family violence organisations to share information. Under the Child Information Sharing Scheme (CISS), in specific circumstances and contexts, we can now request or share information to help keep children safe.
You can read more information about Family Violence and Child Information Sharing Schemes in the Information Sheet.
As always, our commitment to the Child Safe Standards is clearly defined in our Child Safe Policy on PROMPT.
For links to informative webinars, and more about National Child Protection Week, you can visit the NAPCAN website.
Approved by Kym Forrest