The impact of clinical child protection programs.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To follow up on child protection children after their discharge from hospital in order to assess efficiency of our child protection team (CPT) and collaboration of family and of Youth Welfare Agencies (YWA) with the clinical CPT. METHODS: Collaboration of the family considering treatment and controls was documented. Questionnaires were sent to the involved social worker and collaboration with the YWA was analyzed. RESULTS: From 2004 to 2008 57 children entered our child protection program. Clinical cooperation of the families and outcome was good overall. In 56 cases, an official information was sent to the YWA. In ten cases, the injuries were reported to the police which led to convictions in four cases. YWA installed further supervision and support in 53 patients. Cooperation of the families with the social workers was good in 50% of cases, ambivalent in 15% and not existent in 8%. Cooperation with the YWA was wearing. CONCLUSION: Measurements initiated to protect children were efficient in 98%. While cooperation with the families and the social workers was good, cooperation with the institution of the YWA was wearing caused by discrepancies in understanding data protection acts and act of information. Here clarification is required to improve and simplify collaboration between all involved groups.