For any child but particularly for children who are
yet to commence school, the main thing to remember is to ask
them how they are feeling about what is happening/has
happened.
However, many conclusions about safety,
growth and development will need to be based on observation of
very young children or checking with caregivers (see examples
below);
- Safety: Failure to
thrive, lack of interest in surroundings, regression to
immature behaviour for age, poor growth and development for age
(eg lack of language development ) and/or no sign of distress
or protest when the young child is separated from the parent
may indicate rejection, neglect or abuse.
- Social participation: Check if the child has any opportunities to play and mix with
others. Are there any barriers to attendance at playgroup,
childcare etc.? (eg transport, cost, lack of parental
motivation/energy to get them there, parental concern that
placing their child in child care may be seen as a sign of
weakness or inability to cope, cultural factors).
Primary School Aged
Children and Adolescents
IDENTIFICATION of risk factors
- Ask about caring responsibilities (eg Are they
having to do more around the house than others their age
because of their parent being unwell? Do they have the
responsibility for their parent's medication regime? Do they
have responsibility for getting their own meals? If so, are
they getting adequate nutrition?).
- Recognise and acknowledge the important
role they are taking in caring for their parent.
Offer emotional support, but do so tactfully as
some young people take on caring responsibilities
because they feel there really is no one else who
can do what they do and/or that they should be
the ones to do it.
- Consider referring children who are
providing care for their parents to a young carer
support group (Carer Resource Centre Ph: 1800 242
636)
- Are they concerned about what might happen
to them if their parent becomes unwell again or has to be
hospitalised?
- Suggest that the child and family make
a plan for times when their parent may be unwell
or hospitalised - see the 'Supporting Our Family' kit
for a downloadable example plan http://www.howstat.com/comic.
This may include planned care or respite care
options.
- Ask about safety (eg Do they ever feel
unsafe/scared because of their parent's illness? For example
the child/young person may be scared about something that
happens during crisis times in their parent's illness or about
some aspects of the alternative care when their parent is
hospitalised. If they have felt unsafe/scared in the past - do
they have a plan now for what to do if it happens again or to
prevent it recurring?)
- Reinforce protection planning with the
child/young person and ensure they have the
telephone numbers of about 5 trusted adults to
call in an emergency. Check that they know about
the Kids Help Line Ph: 1800 551800 (encourage
them not to hang up on this line if it is busy as
it will be answered eventually - many children
give up on telephone help-lines after waiting
only 45 seconds). Discuss or refer the
child/young person on for assistance regarding
the development of protective behaviours.
- Help the child develop a safety plan or
suggest to care-giver/s that they develop a plan
with the child.
- Ask about school attendance (eg Do they
ever miss school because they are looking after their parent or
tired when, for example, their parent has had a 'bad
night'?)
- You may be able to support the
child/young person to negotiate school support
(eg via a letter to the Principal).
- What are their information needs? Check
with the parent first for permission to discuss the illness
with the child/young person. (Eg Do they understand what mental
health problem/s their parent has?)
- What are their socialisation needs? (eg are
they involved in any activities outside of school or home? Do
they have any friends?)