Child Health

• When considering child health (0 - 14 years), we tend to look at two age groups, those children aged 0 - 4 years and those aged 5 - 14 years. 
• Child health services are largely delivered based on developmental ages and stages.

• Auckland and Waitemata DHBs have developed a joint Child Health Improvement Plan 2012-2017 to provide a framework for activities to improve the health of children and their families. 
• However, as with all plans there is a need to be flexible and adaptive so there are always new or additional elements which are incorporated. 
• These generally arise from Ministry of Health directives or from recommendations made by the Auckland DHB Child Health Stakeholder Advisory Group.

• There are a broad range of factors that influence the health of children (e.g. housing, education and income). 
• While these are primarily outside the health sector, they have a profound influence on health status. 
• We will work across sectors in addressing health priorities such as: 
  • rheumatic fever
  • skin sepsis
  • immunisation
  • injury prevention
  • oral health
  • Sudden Unexplained Death in Infancy (SUDI)

Vulnerable Children Act 2014

• The Vulnerable Children Act 2014 came into effect on 1 July 2014. 
• This Act impacts frontline staff in health, education, social development, justice and police. 
• The Act requires providers of services to children, or services to adults with respect to children have a Child Protection Policy in place to provide a framework to identify and manage actual and/or suspected child abuse and neglect. 
• In addition, these providers will also be required to undertake new screening checks for government and community staff working with children.

More information

• Vulnerable Children Act 2014 FAQs
• Vulnerable Children Act 2014 factsheet
• Preventative health and wellness – family violence
• NGO website
• Sample Child Protection Policy
• Child Protection Guidelines

Contact

• Ruth Bijl
  Strategy and Planning Manager
  Women, Youth & Children
  P  (09) 630 9943 ext 27920
  M 021 280 4310