July 2004

Strong partnerships needed for children at risk

Chair of the Victorian Child Death Review Committee (VCDRC) Dr Judith Gibbs has stressed the need for the health and welfare agencies to work together to support vulnerable families, protect children and make a difference in their lives.

Dr Gibbs’ comments followed the tabling in State Parliament of the VCDRC 2004 Annual Report on the deaths of children and young people known to child protection authorities.

Dr Gibbs said the VCDRC reported a significant decrease in the number of deaths with 12 deaths in 2003 compared with 32 deaths in 2002.

‘The death of a child is devastating and the committee is acutely aware of the emotional impact this has on families, friends, workers and the services involved with the child,’ Dr Gibbs said.

‘While we can be pleased by the decrease in the number of deaths, our sympathies go to the families and friends and to all others who were involved with the 12 children and young people who died in 2003.’

Dr Gibbs said the committee's review of 20 reports of child deaths between 2000 and 2003 highlighted the need for stronger partnerships between health and welfare professionals.

‘We need to continue to strengthen partnerships between health and welfare professionals working with vulnerable families—especially with more parents now facing a range of problems such as family violence, mental health and drug and alcohol issues,’ Dr Gibbs said.

‘While the sector is getting better at recognising when children are at high risk of harm, making a long-term change in those families continues to be a challenge.

‘Improved communication, information-sharing and planning across all sectors will help achieve this.’

Dr Gibbs said this year’s report also highlighted the importance of preventative work to address parenting problems before child abuse or neglect occurs.

‘The committee is pleased by the State Government’s significant investment in early intervention welfare programs to assist vulnerable families.

‘While it is early days yet, programs like the Family Support Innovation Projects are creating better service options for many families who require long-term support.’

The VCDRC is a 10-member, multi-disciplinary Ministerial Advisory Committee that provides independent advice to the Minister for Community Services.

The death of all children and adolescents known to Victorian child protection authorities is subject to a Department of Human Services child death inquiry.

The VCDRC reviews each of these reports, which feed into the committee’s Annual Report tabled in Parliament each autumn.

‘The DHS internal reviews and the VCDRC annual report make a significant contribution to improvements in child protection practice and the way the whole service system engages with families experiencing parenting difficulties.’

Facts about child deaths in Victoria:

Child protection service:

• In 2003, there were 12 deaths of children and young people known to the Victorian child protection authorities;

• In 2003, there were 37,562 notifications to Victorian child protection authorities;

• In 2003, the rate of deaths of children and young people known to child protection was 0.31 per 1,000 notifications.

Wider Victorian population:

• The number of child deaths in the wider Victoria population in 2003 has not been released;

• In 2002, Australian Bureau of Statistics figures showed 519 children (0–17 years) died;

• In 2002, the rate of death was 0.46 per 1,000 of the Victorian population aged 0–17 years.

Child death inquiries in Victoria:

• The death of every child or young person, who is a child protection client, is subject to a child death inquiry. This includes child deaths that occur within three months of case closure by child protection;

• The Department of Human Services conducts child death inquiries that are led by either a senior manager or an external expert. Reviewers must be from a different Region than the one where the death occurred;

• Child death inquiry reports are provided to the Victorian Child Death Review Committee (VCDRC) which provides an external overview and advises the Minister;

• Victoria and NSW were the first Australian states to set up a Child Death Inquiry process involving an external review committee. Other states have now established or are establishing similar committees.