Responding to vulnerable children and families

Secondary prevention through healthcare responses to children and parents at increased risk of child maltreatment, domestic violence and abuse

The term ‘vulnerable’ refers to children and families exposed to a wide range of adversities associated with health and social disadvantage. Vulnerable children and families are at high risk of adverse physical and mental health outcomes with consequences reaching into mid-adulthood.

The Children and Families Policy Research Unit works on projects that address how services might develop more effective responses to vulnerable children and families in contact with healthcare, with long-term cost benefits for society and improved outcomes for affected families.