Child abuse, neglect and maltreatment health service in Australia: A literature review

This chapter reviews child abuse, neglect and maltreatment health service practice in Australia. Child abuse, neglect and maltreatment and the need to protect children from harm and prevent abuse and neglect has become a significant public health concern. This chapter reviews current clinical and community practice in Australia in the following aspects: clinical governance, workforce development, early prevention and intervention, partnership, communication and coordination, and core activities development. It is recommended that the framework for child protection work should include the following: 1) Develop health service capacity with institution: Each health service district, hospital and departments need to develop service roles. 2) Develop district and department governance procedures. 3) Professional training provision. 4) Multidisciplinary teamwork. 5) Develop personnel role and responsibilities package within each department 6) Stipulate clinical handover and care coordination procedures and 7) Develop early identification and early intervention strategies.