330 likes | 869 Views
Perinatal Family Conferencing. PREGNANCY FAMILY MEETINGS Katrina Hurley Child Protection Sydney and South Western Sydney Local Health Districts 2012. Background. NSW Child Protection Legislation –prenatal reporting
E N D
Perinatal Family Conferencing PREGNANCY FAMILY MEETINGS Katrina Hurley Child Protection Sydney and South Western Sydney Local Health Districts 2012
Background • NSW Child Protection Legislation –prenatal reporting • Risk averse climate, background of child deaths and ombudsman’s reviews- defensive interventions • Infants fastest growing category of children entering OOHC ( AIHW,2009) • Non allocation of cases antenatally by Community Services – crisis response • Myth of ‘Flight Risk’
What is it ? Collaborative project between Metro Central CS and Sydney Local Health District using family conferencing to promote early engagement and interagency planning with pregnant women and families at risk of their newborns entering out of home care at birth.
PROJECT JUSTIFICATION • Early engagement to reduce risks and number of infants in care and/or identification of appropriate carer prior to birth • Strengths based, participatory process for parents and families
PROJECT JUSTIFICATION • Coincides with the new CS Policy in relation to Responding to Prenatal reports which requires CS to work with NSW Health to reduce risk of significant harm to the child following birth by maximizing preventative and early engagement strategies • This project trials and evaluates one strategy.
Family Conferencing Model • Use in numerous countries worldwide….., NSW 2001-2005 • Various forms but basic components: adherence to a 3 stage format; process requires the inclusion of extended family and/or broader social networks; philosophy focused on empowering family to make decisions • WA Perth Signs of Safety Model (Turnell &Edwards,2008)
What are Pregnancy Family Meetings? • Each family is allocated an independent facilitator. • Facilitators have been recruited from Health and CS. • The facilitator liaises directly with the mother and relevant family members to prepare and support them to participate fully in the process
ELIGIBILITY All pregnant women enrolled for antenatal care at Royal Prince Alfred Women and Babies Hospital and Canterbury Hospital who have a ROSH report made.CSC’s Burwood, Lakemba and Central Sydney.
3 MEETINGS Meeting 1 – identifies strengths and concerns and generates a plan to address issues (soon after referral around 20 weeks). Meeting 2 – reviews progress, refines the plan and considers contingency plans (6 – 8 weeks later). Meeting 3 – reviews progress and develops birth plan (prior to birth).
How are these meetings different? • Facilitator independence • Focus on strengths and engaging family in problem solving • Avoids use of jargon • Agreement is recorded and signed off by all parties on the day • Uses the “Three Houses” format • ( Weld,N and Greening,M 2003)
EVALUATION • Qualitative • 1. Interview of parents, health staff, CS staff, any other agencies involved including legal representatives regarding several facets of experience of participation in PFC • 2. Developmental assessment by paediatrician at 12 months or as close as possible via RPA infant Branches clinic • Quantitative • 1. Number of assumptions of care at birth and in next 12 months after birth • If in OOHC number in kinship care and number in foster care • 3. Hospitalisations to 12 months of age accessed via electronic medical record (Cerner) in SLHD and SWSLHD only ( unable to access in other local health districts) • 4. Immunisations via National Register at 12 months; up to date vs not up to date • 5. Number of ROSH reports to CS in 12 months after birth • 6. Number of changes in plcaement in 12 months.