CHILD DEATH REVIEW PROCESSES

A number of mechanisms have been established across the States and Territories in Australia to review the circumstances of children and young people who die in their jurisdiction. 

These mechanisms differ both in legislative support, purpose and infrastructure.  Generally, the main roles are to review the deaths in order to recommend strategies and initiatives to prevent or reduce the number of deaths of children and young people occurring and to provide annual reports on the deaths. 

The ACPDCYP is examining the different systems for reviewing the deaths of infants, children and young people, in order to make recommendations to Government on what would be effective, sustainable and relevant to the Western Australian context.

INDIGENOUS QUALITATIVE RESEARCH REPORT

The purpose of this project is to talk to Aboriginal parents whose infant, child or young person has died, and to other family members, to gain an understanding of the circumstances surrounding the death.

The process is aimed at gaining an understanding of the circumstances of the death including: what was happening around the time of the child’s death, within the family and in the community; how the community responds to the death of an infant, child or young person; and what type of support do they receive or would like to receive.

The information will inform recommendations for changes in policy and practice in responding to deaths and in the provision of support.  Those participating in the community discussions will also be invited to assist in framing the recommendations for change.

Research of a similar nature has not been conducted before, and thus careful planning is required prior to submitting for ethics approval.

INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION PROJECT 

Following the publishing of ‘The First Research Report: Patterns and Trends in Mortality of WA Infants, Children and Young People 1980-2002’ in March 2006, the next stage is to develop a communication and dissemination strategy, using the information from the First Research Report. This project will be undertaken in consultation with communities and will also identify areas of critical need.  This will inturn identify priority areas for action.

The report identified a number of issues that contribute or cause premature and preventable deaths of Aboriginal infants, children and young people.  The findings draw attention to the increasing disparities in death rates between Aboriginal infants and their non-Aboriginal peers, which provide an important indicator of the overall health and well-being of Aboriginal communities. The findings also highlight the need for immediate action to improve access to health care and living conditions for Aboriginal people and the implementation and assessment of policies to reduce the continuing social and economic disadvantage faced by Aboriginal families in partnership with Aboriginal communities. This project will focus on responding to these issues in consultation with Aboriginal communities, organisations and health professionals and those best placed to implement change.