Challenges and Solutions for the Safety of Children in the Community

Abstract

Opinion statementTo truly understand the challenges and solutions of the safety of children in our community, we should be willing to embrace its complexity. Child safety itself goes further than some might conceive, encompassing the prevention of all types of injury: physical, emotional and psychological as well as interventions to promote resilience to harm. We believe child safety is a 'call to action' to paediatricians, government and society in general to advocate for children who remain vulnerable and often voiceless. We have chosen to take a narrative approach examining one particular case and have identified different preventable safety issues that occurred throughout her childhood. Acknowledging that early events have an impact later in the life course, we emphasise the importance of prompt early intervention and reflect on 'missed' opportunities for action. In particular, we have tried to use a holistic lens to view the case, exploring issues in the system around the child, in their family, school and the wider environment. In exploring the solutions to these issues, we look at three key areas (the 3 R approach): firstly, effective communication between professionals (relationships) and how this might be practically facilitated at ground level; secondly, how to best ensure protocols Patient Safety (P Lachman, Section Editor) (roadmaps) are followed wisely within an organisational and human behaviours framework; and finally, by putting the child at the centre (recognition), we can address the multiple issues affecting them and identify factors that build his/her own resilience. Child safety is a complex far reaching public health priority, which requires holistic ways of identifying safety issues, as well as practical solutions that support professionals and empower children and their families.

Effectiveness of Strategies Used by Local Government Leaders in Combating Children’s Rights Violation in Arusha City, Tanzania

“…Findings revealed that the main challenges included shortage of resource, absence of conducive organizational culture, inadequate staffing and budget constraint. Blair, et al (2014) conducted a study that sought to unveil the challenges and solutions of the safety of children in community. The study concluded that, child safety is a complex far reaching public health priority, which requires holistic ways of identifying safety issues as well as practical solutions that support professionals and empower children and their families.…”