Addressing the well‐being of Aboriginal children in out‐of‐home care: Are we there yet?

Raman, Shanti; Reynolds, Sandra L.; Khan, Rabia

doi:10.1111/j.1440-1754.2011.02030.x

Cited by 30 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The rates of health and developmental needs in this study population are similar to the rates recorded in Australian studies of children in care (Nathanson and Tzioumi, 2007;Raman et al, 2011). Our results demonstrated no difference in these needs between children in FC or parental care.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Referrals to and attendance at these clinics are voluntary; however, clinic staff maintain close and ongoing relationships with referring agencies including Community Services (welfare), mental health and drug health services, hospital and community health services and the non-government sector to ensure ease of access to CP clinics. A recent study from our department of children attending a multidisciplinary clinic specifically for Aboriginal children in FC in SWS demonstrated the high needs of this subgroup of children (Raman et al, 2011), in keeping with current international literature on the subject Jee and Simms, 2006). Not only do these children have higher rates of physical health problems, and poorer developmental outcomes and mental health needs, but they also encounter barriers in access to education, welfare services and health, including preventive health (Raman et al, 2011).…”

Section: Study Contextmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…These variables were chosen following previous Australian studies documenting the health and developmental needs in children in FC (Nathanson and Tzioumi, 2007;Raman et al, 2011). Hearing concerns were documented if there was a known audiological deficit, carer concern about speech and language delay and/or a history of middle ear problems.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Health, Developmental and Support Needs of Vulnerable Children – Comparing Children in Foster Care and Children in Need

Raman

Sahu

2014

Child Abuse Review

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Health, Developmental and Support Needs of Vulnerable ChildrenComparing Children in Foster Care and Children in NeedThe health needs of children in foster care (FC) have been well described and pathways to health assessment established. Such pathways for other vulnerable children are scarce. We aimed to describe the health and service needs of children attending community paediatric (CP) clinics specifically set up for children exposed to psychosocial risk factors in South Western Sydney (SWS), and to compare the needs of children in FC to those in parental care. We analysed the clinic records of all children attending CP clinics for vulnerable children in SWS in 2008. Of the 98 children seen, the mean age was 4.6 years, the majority (88%) had abuse documented and 57 per cent were in FC. Family risk factors included parental substance use (65%), domestic violence (57%) and parental mental health disorder (33%). Health needs identified included speech delay (45%), developmental delay (39%) and incomplete immunisation (34%); many children required specialist referral. Behavioural and educational difficulties were encountered in almost one-half of the children. There were no significant differences in health/support needs between those in FC and those in parental care. Pathways to early identification/intervention need to be broadened beyond those established for children in FC, to include those exposed to a range of psychosocial adversities.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Study Contextmentioning

confidence: 83%

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Health, Developmental and Support Needs of Vulnerable Children – Comparing Children in Foster Care and Children in Need

Raman

Sahu

2014

Child Abuse Review

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“…SPSS version 15 (IBM, Chicago, IL, USA) was used to analyse the data. Pearson's exact test and student's paired t ‐test were used for categorical variables . Age group categories and OOHC placement type categories were used for group comparisons and analysis (Table ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a cohort of 980 Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in OOHC, 87% were impacted by family violence, and 87% had a parent with alcohol or substance abuse issues . The associated trauma presents a complex backdrop to providing health care . Children in OOHC are at increased risk of poorer physical, mental and developmental health than their peers …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out‐of‐home care

Shmerling

Creati

Belfrage

et al. 2019

J Paediatrics Child Health

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Aim Children in statutory out‐of‐home care (OOHC) are known to have poorer physical, developmental and mental health outcomes compared with their peers. The number of children in OOHC is increasing in Australia, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children disproportionately represented. To document the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adolescents in OOHC attending the paediatric service at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) between February 2014 and February 2016. Methods The electronic medical records of all patients in OOHC seen by a paediatrician at VAHS between February 2014 and February 2016 were audited. Demographic data, including age and type of OOHC placement, were recorded, as were their health needs. Results Of the 200 children seen by a paediatrician over this 2‐year period, 103 were identified as being in OOHC for all or some of this same period: 43 in foster care, 8 in residential care and 52 in kinship care. Of the 103 children, 35 were <6 years of age, 51 between 6 and 13 years and 17 between 13 and 18 years; 66% were identified as having mental health problems, 37% hearing problems, 34% vision problems, 40% dental caries and 46% developmental delay including 36% with speech delay. Conclusions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in OOHC seen by the paediatric service at VAHS have high rates of physical, developmental and psychological health needs. These data have significant potential to inform government policy and investment in effective models of care to better meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in OOHC.

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Does Virtual Reality Training Increase Mindfulness in Aboriginal Out-of-Home Care Children?

Rowland,

Hindman,

Jomeen

et al. 2024

Mindfulness

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Objectives This study aimed to address the negative impacts of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on Aboriginal children and young people in out-of-home care (OOHC) using mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) delivered via virtual reality (VR). MBIs can improve emotion regulation and executive functioning, but engagement can be challenging, especially for children with other health conditions and trauma. Method Virtual reality goggles with a head-mounted display, head tracking, and handheld controls were used. Measures included heart rate variability (HRV), the State Mindfulness Scale, the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, and the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function 2. The procedure involved a baseline assessment of state mindfulness, a 5-min sitting baseline HRV measurement, VR orientation, exploration of the VR landscape, a mindfulness body scan, a second HRV measurement during the body scan, and completing a post-VR questionnaire. Results No significant improvement in state mindfulness was found as measured by the State Mindfulness Scale. However, a significant improvement with moderate effect size was seen pre-to-post-intervention on the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (p = 0.007, d = − 0.69). We also explored the impact of age, sex, and diagnosis on the intervention and found significant improvements in state mindfulness across subgroups. HRV did not show a significant change pre-to-post-intervention. Conclusions Our study highlights the potential for MBI-VR to improve mindfulness in Aboriginal children and young people in OOHC who have experienced abuse and trauma. Brief mindfulness sessions were effective at enhancing state mindfulness as measured by the MAAS; the older participants and those with mental health concerns benefitted the most. Further research with more diverse samples is needed to validate the findings and examine potential interactions between demographic and clinical factors. Preregistration This study is not preregistered.

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Addressing the well‐being of Aboriginal children in out‐of‐home care: Are we there yet?

Cited by 30 publications

References 17 publications

Health, Developmental and Support Needs of Vulnerable Children – Comparing Children in Foster Care and Children in Need

Health, Developmental and Support Needs of Vulnerable Children – Comparing Children in Foster Care and Children in Need

The health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out‐of‐home care

Does Virtual Reality Training Increase Mindfulness in Aboriginal Out-of-Home Care Children?

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