Paediatric Brain Injury - A Secondary Consultation Approach for Supporting Families, Service Providers and Communities in Victoria
In our current Disability Services System in Victoria, children with acquired brain injury (ABI) and their families/carers, have limited access to appropriate services such as rehabilitation, case management, respite and community re-integration. This situation is underpinned by certain misconceptions about paediatric ABI such as the notions that children recover quickly and completely from ABI; that all children with ABI have an intellectual disability; and that children with ABI are eligible and/or appropriate for the same services as children with other disabilities.
The Victorian State Disability Plan of 2002-2012 emphasizes a whole-of-government and community approach to strengthen generic services and build inclusive communities for people with a range of disabilities, including ABI. Subsequent state government reports have highlighted that any potential service response needs to provide specialist paediatric ABI support with the aim of enhancing the existing service system, and helping to advocate for and develop services for children with ABI.
Melbourne Citymission is currently piloting a Statewide Secondary Consultation Project to provide information, support and mentoring to people working with children with ABI. Information can be provided through resources, linking community services, and providing paediatric ABI training. Mentoring is usually provided on a 1:1 case-specific basis. Support can be provided through facilitating support networks and community based services. Through the provision of this service, this project has also identified the needs of children with ABI as well as the gaps and barriers in current service provision.
This presentation will discuss the background and implementation of the Secondary Consultation Project, illustrated through individual case examples as well as community based service development initiatives.