Improving hospital systems for disadvantaged children and babies

In this paper, I will discuss the importance of early intervention with vulnerable families where children and babies may be at risk of neglect and disadvantaged by their social circumstances in accessing appropriate, preventative support services. I will describe the Strengthening Families Program located in the Social Work Department of the Royal Children's Hospital, which provides a model for interdisciplinary and intersectoral (welfare and health) collaboration. The Program offers care management to individual families and is working towards systemic changes in the hospital's response to these families. Finally, I will illustrate aspects of the work of the Royal Children's Hospital Strengthening Families Program with a case study wherein a recent history of domestic violence impacted on the family's capacity to access health and welfare services for both mother and children.