Children and the Courts: Advocacy Roles for Pediatric Nurses

Abstract

The Advocate is a forum for exploring our roles as advocates for the children and families we serve.

An exploration of paediatric nurses’ views of caring for infants who have suffered nonaccidental injury

“…Similar to Feng et al (2010), the role of advocacy was also emphasised as an important nursing role when caring for these infants. Advocacy is considered an important and essential role of the paediatric nurse caring for one of the most vulnerable groups in society (Spence 2011, Putman 2014, further emphasis is placed on advocacy in difficult cases, such as child protection (Johnson et al 2002, Herrman et al 2008. These findings concur with the existing statutory obligation of the nurse to ensure the welfare of the child remains paramount in cases of suspected child abuse (HSE 2011).…”

“…Advocacy is considered an important and essential role of the paediatric nurse caring for one of the most vulnerable groups in society (Spence , Putman ), further emphasis is placed on advocacy in difficult cases, such as child protection (Johnson et al . , Herrman et al . ).…”