... the tide is turning
Upon Removal From the Family Home...
Most hospitals throughout Australia have a Child Protection Unit. This unit of personnel usually consists of nursing staff, a paediatrician and a social worker and works closely with DoCS in regard to children suspected of suffering from child abuse and/or neglect.
It is normal practice for DoCS to have a medical assessment carried out on a suspect child within 24 hours of the child being removed from the family home. Such medical assessments are carried out at the nearest hospital and usually by the paediatrician from the Child Protection Unit.
The medical assessment which is carried out is exactly the same as a standard
paediatric assessment.
The doctor will weigh the child, measure their height and examine them for
development consistent with age. They will also observe the child for any
behavioural anomalies (fright, antisocial behaviour etc) as well as any
injuries, scarring, insect bites, bruises etc. Everything that is observed is
noted in a standard hospital file as would notes be taken for a common place
medical examination by a family GP.
The examining doctor will not probe the child with questions about why they have been taken from their family home. The interviewing of the child will be left to DoCS and the police if the police are also involved. The doctor may ask the child their name, address and phone number, what class they are in at school and similar questions. This is to develop a rapport with the child and to help make them feel at ease. It is also done to establish whether, according to age appropriate development, the child has an understanding of who they are.
Example: A 4 year old child should know what their name is and how old they are, but they may not necessarily know their birth date.
Any unusual observations may be photographed for documentation. Such may include bruising, cuts to the skin and similar. Photographs will also be taken if the child has been removed from a critical situation where physical abuse has been inflicted and injuries have occurred.
After the medical assessment is carried out, a report will be written by the doctor and forwarded to DoCS.
More often than not a parent will not be informed by DoCS that a medical examination has been or will be carried out on their child. In some Australian states the parent will be required to sign a document granting permission for an examination on their child. Temporary Assessment Orders granted by the court can also give permission for examinations and bypass parental consent all together.
NB: Not all children removed from the family home will undergo medical examinations.
A parent does have the right to be present during a medical examination of their child, particularly if the parent maintains guardianship. But this is often left to the discretion of DoCS.
If you find that your child is to undergo a medical examination, consider it as standard procedure and don't panic. It can be very daunting, particularly for parents who newly involved with DoCS, but the final report from the doctor can be a valuable document for a parent who finds themselves accused of things which they have not done.
Also, having your child undergo a medical examination can be reassuring. It can be reassuring to know that your child is developing properly and not failing to thrive. Or that something which has been concerning you as a parent has been observed by the assessing doctor and has been recommended for treatment.
During Time in Foster Care...
Approved departmental carers have access to GPs and in-home medical practitioners 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Being commissioned with the responsibility of fostering a child also means that they have the responsibility to ensure that the child's medical needs are met.
Carers are obligated to seek medical aid for the child when needed and this does not require the permission of DoCS nor the biological parent. Sole discretion is left to the carer.
A carer may contact Crisis Care if the child has been admitted to hospital due to an urgent medical emergency, who will then inform the DoCS CSO and they should then inform the biological parent at the first convenience.
If urgent hospital aid is required, it is not unusual for hospital personnel to advance with treatment with disregard to the biological parent's knowledge of the situation if it is deemed necessary to treat the child immediately.
Given that this can occur, it is extremely important that the biological parent ensures that DoCS be made aware of any existing medical conditions, allergies, medications the child is taking or religious beliefs as soon as DoCS become involved with the family. This information will be passed on to the carers which in turn will be passed on to medical staff where applicable.
If your child is allergic to Penicillin, suffers from Asthma or is prone to Anaphylactic Shock etc, you must let your CSO know straight away.
Biological parents have the right to request their child be given medical attention if they observe during contact visits or through departmental documentation something that warrants medical investigation. Unfortunately at times carers can be lax in seeking medical attention for children.
Any form of treatment that involves medical intrusion (blood tests, blood transfusion, general aneasthetic etc) must be granted permission by the biological parent. For more information about this and other guardianship information, click here.
The biological parent also has the right to copies of any medical reports from GP or assessors and information about whether their child was taken to a doctor, why and the diagnosis. This information will come to the biological parent via the CSO. Beware that often carers do not inform DoCS that they have taken the child for medical treatment and often DoCS can be left ignorant of the fact unless permission for further testing is required from the biological parent.
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