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Aims and Objectives: To determine the baseline levels of training, knowledge and confidence working in the area of family violence in staff at a public child and maternal health service in Melbourne, Australia, as well as perceived staff barriers to working effectively in this area. This study also aimed to explore the client perception of existing screening practices. Background: Family violence is a global concern with pregnancy and the postnatal period times of particularly high risk. Child and maternal health services are well placed to screen for violence, yet clinician and client perceptions of screening remain poorly characterised. Design: Thirty-five staff and 15 mothers participated in this cross-sectional, mixedmethod study, via an online survey. Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) cross-sectional guidelines were used. Results: The majority of staff screened clients for family violence, at least some of the time, with over 50% often or always screening. However, only half of staff respondents indicated that they believed they knew how to screen appropriately. Screening occurred most often over the phone or at the first service visit. The most commonly reported barriers to screening were suspected perpetrators being present during consultations and language barriers. Most clients reported being screened for physical violence and safety in the home with few being asking about financial and | 4077 WITHIEL ET aL.

Issues addressed: Little is known about the barriers and facilitators associated with engaging fathers in interventions targeting their physical and mental health. The current research therefore aimed to explore fathers' perceived barriers and facilitators to engagement and participation in a health intervention delivered during the early parenting period. Methods: Eleven fathers of young children (0-4 years) were interviewed about their perceptions and experiences of facilitators and barriers to engaging and participating in an intervention (Working Out Dads) to target their mental and physical health. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Fathers identified a number of program-related and father-related facilitators and barriers which impacted their engagement and participation. Program-related facilitators included: accessibility of the program; father advocacy of the program; group fitness/exercise component; and having a father-specific program. Facilitating factors related to fathers included: making social connections; learning how to be a better dad/partner; and partner support and encouragement to attend. Programrelated barriers included: travel; lack of awareness; and gender roles. While fatherrelated barriers included: being time poor; sacrifices to family; and apprehension. Conclusions:The current findings identified many areas that facilitate, encourage and motivate men to participate in interventions which support their mental and physical health during the early parenting period.

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The COVID‐19 pandemic and associated physical distancing restrictions have exacerbated social, economic and health disadvantage within our communities. With increases in mental health difficulties and family violence already being seen, there is concern that the risk of child maltreatment risk may also be increased. The current study aimed to explore the experience of the COVID‐19 pandemic for families identified to be at risk of child maltreatment in Victoria, Australia. Understanding the experiences of the pandemic for families already at risk is essential in identifying how to best support vulnerable parents and young children during this challenging time. Interviews were conducted with 11 parents currently involved with Child Protection Services, and nine clinicians working within a child and family health services, supporting clients with child protection involvement. Parents and clinicians described a range of pandemic related stressors including employment and financial stress, worry about infection and changes to service access. In addition, parents with children in out of home care discussed decreased access to their children resulting from physical distancing restrictions. Parents and clinicians perceived the pandemic to be having a negative impact on parent mental health, parenting stress and isolation. Although parents raised minimal concerns about the impact of the pandemic on child well‐being, clinicians expressed concerns about the rise in risk factors for child maltreatment. Parents discussed a range of coping strategies which they perceived to be helpful during the pandemic, and clinicians and parents described the need for additional mental health support and support to access basic needs. The study highlights the importance of ensuring at risk families have access to parenting and mental health support throughout the pandemic and the importance of ensuring children within at‐risk families are sighted and their safety assessed.