Theme 2: 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

Theme co-leads

Professor Gene Feder and Professor Ruth Gilbert

Aim

To generate the evidence that would support enhanced identification of vulnerable families and more effective targeting of cost-effective interventions.

Background

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. This research theme will 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.