Aussie Childcare Network Forum

Hi everyone,
i hope everyone is well. I'm a little bit stressed here and hoping someone can help me out with these questions for one of my assignments.
Topic
1.What are the indicators of failure to provide basic phsycial or emotional neccessities for children?
2.What are the indicators of failure to provide adequate medical care?
3.List possible indicators of physical abuse or ill treatment?
4.What indicators would you look for that might indicate non accidental injury?
5.What are the main indicators of sexual abuse in children?
6.What are the key indicators of serious psychological harm?
7.What is the likey impact of serious psychological harm to a child?

Thank you
ravyn

That's a lot of assignments... Here are some answers to the questions you have asked. I remember doing a similar assignment when doing my childcare studies. I looked over my notes and here is some info that will probably help you:

1.What are the indicators of failure to provide basic phsycial or emotional neccessities for children?
2.What are the indicators of failure to provide adequate medical care?

When someone doesn't take adequate care of their child it results in child abuse and neglect. Child abuse is causing some kind of injury or harm to the child either physical or psychological (physical and emotional etc). Neglect is when someone fails to provide the basic needs of a child (medical care, education etc).

3.List possible indicators of physical abuse or ill treatment?

Bruises, bite marls, burns, head/face injury, fractures of bones, lacerations etc.

4. What indicators would you look for that might indicate non accidental injury?

When you observe the physical and behavioral indicators, which makes you suspicious and you feel like a child has been abused you have suspicion on reasonable grounds. Indicators of non accidental injury can also include: a child tells you they have been abused, a child tells you that someone they know is being abused (may be referring to themselves), another person tells you that they believe a child is being abused (they should be in the position of knowing). Other evidence can include – Physical evidence you have observed, unconvincing explanation from parents/child, the child’s sudden change of behavior, child appears frightened or upset.

5. What are the main indicators of sexual abuse in children?

Pain in genital areas, torn blood stained clothing, bruises or bleeding in genital area, vaginal odor or discharge.

6. What are the key indicators of serious psychological harm?

• Displays aggressive, very demanding or angry behavior.
• Extreme lying or stealing
• Over cautious and fearful of consequences.
• Rebellious.
• Low self-esteem.
• Sleep disorders.
• Consistently passive or withdrawn.
• Poor concentration.
• Uncontrollable behavior.

I'm sure there are different key indicators of serious psychological harm depending on the circumstances, the situation and what abuse the child went through to develop this. The above list is a few of the indicators a child could display.

Good Luck!

,
L.A

Good Morning all,
Thank you L.A,
i most appreciated the answers you have given me.
thanks ravyn
whooooie back to assignments i go

Hi Ravyn,

I am currently studying the same assignment and have found plenty of the answers you are looking for if you still need them and i am stuck on tthree of those questions-
What are the indicators of failure to provide adequate medical care?

How is sexual abuse defined in the legislation?

AND How does the legislation define serious psychological harm?

I'd really appreciate your help! Thank you...

Caryn-Lee xoxo

Hello Caryn-Lee

How's it going? I will try to help you out since it appears that Ravyn is yet to get back to your question.

What are the indicators of failure to provide adequate medical care?

See my previous post above for some good points of what happens when someone doesn't provide adequate medical care to their child, which results in "child abuse and neglect".

However, if you are looking for noticeable signs of adequate medical care this includes the following:

-drowsiness, easily fatigued
-puffiness under the eyes
-frequent untreated upper respiratory infections
-itching, scratching, long existing skin eruptions
-frequent diarrhea
-bruises, lacerations or cuts that are infected
-untreated illnesses
-physical complaints not responded to by parent

How is sexual abuse defined in the legislation?

Sexually abusive behaviour refers to any sexual activity between a child and an adult or older person (five or more years older). Sexual activity includes fondling genitals, masturbation, oral sex, vaginal or anal penetration by a penis, finger or any other object, fondling of breasts, voyeurism, exhibitionism and exposing or involving the child in pornography.

AND How does the legislation define serious psychological harm?

Psychologically abusive or neglectful behaviour refers to inappropriate verbal or symbolic acts and a failure to provide adequate non-physical nurture or emotional availability. Psychologically abusive or neglectful behaviours include rejecting, ignoring, isolating, terrorising, corrupting, verbal abuse and belittlement.

It's a tough assignment you got, especially knowing that a child may be going through some type of abuse. It definetly makes me sick to think that a child may have experienced this.

I hope this gives you a bit more info for your questions...

,
L.A

Just would like to thank you L.A for you much needed help cheers

Thanks L.A for your help, Much appreciated

im also having trouble even finding in the Child protection act 1999 where is shows "indicators of serious psychological harm"