Abstract
Background
Nurses’ and midwives’ prevention and responses to child abuse and neglect are largely invisible in public policy and professional guidelines. This study aimed to build consensus about the nature and scope of nurses’ and midwives’ work in safeguarding children to inform development of practice standards.
Methods
Using a Delphi technique, nurses and midwives working with children ranked the importance and gave feedback on 64 statements relating to safeguarding children. Statements were aligned with the Registered Nurse Standards for Practice (NMBA 2016). Participants were from diverse practice contexts and all statements achieved at least 80% consensus. Ethical approval was granted by Flinders University Human Research Ethics Low Risk Panel (no. 2939).
Summary of findings
Nurses and midwives used a diverse range of complex skills, knowledge and expertise to safeguard children from abuse and neglect. This highlights the essential role of nurses and midwives in advancing the National framework for protecting Australia’s children 2021-2031 and provides a starting point to better understand education, support and resourcing for nurses and midwives. The research developed 64 statements.
Implications for practice
This research outlined the nature and scope of nursing and midwifery practice in safeguarding children in Australia. Findings will enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and provide evidence for education, support and resourcing of nursing and midwifery practice. However, in a system centred around child removal instead of addressing underlying contributing factors, further innovation of nurses’ and midwives’ roles is needed to enact change for children at risk of abuse and neglect.
Nurses’ and midwives’ prevention and responses to child abuse and neglect are largely invisible in public policy and professional guidelines. This study aimed to build consensus about the nature and scope of nurses’ and midwives’ work in safeguarding children to inform development of practice standards.
Methods
Using a Delphi technique, nurses and midwives working with children ranked the importance and gave feedback on 64 statements relating to safeguarding children. Statements were aligned with the Registered Nurse Standards for Practice (NMBA 2016). Participants were from diverse practice contexts and all statements achieved at least 80% consensus. Ethical approval was granted by Flinders University Human Research Ethics Low Risk Panel (no. 2939).
Summary of findings
Nurses and midwives used a diverse range of complex skills, knowledge and expertise to safeguard children from abuse and neglect. This highlights the essential role of nurses and midwives in advancing the National framework for protecting Australia’s children 2021-2031 and provides a starting point to better understand education, support and resourcing for nurses and midwives. The research developed 64 statements.
Implications for practice
This research outlined the nature and scope of nursing and midwifery practice in safeguarding children in Australia. Findings will enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and provide evidence for education, support and resourcing of nursing and midwifery practice. However, in a system centred around child removal instead of addressing underlying contributing factors, further innovation of nurses’ and midwives’ roles is needed to enact change for children at risk of abuse and neglect.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - Sept 2022 |
| Event | Maternal Child and Family Health Nurses Australia (MCaFHNA), Evolution: evidence, practice & innovation - Canberra, Australia, Canberra, Australia Duration: 1 Sept 2022 → 3 Sept 2022 https://web.cvent.com/event/550e94a8-9f38-43b8-9d46-c22b7dd60d07/summary |
Conference
| Conference | Maternal Child and Family Health Nurses Australia (MCaFHNA), Evolution: evidence, practice & innovation |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Australia |
| City | Canberra |
| Period | 1/09/22 → 3/09/22 |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- Child protection
- Child abuse and neglect
- Health care professionals
- Guidelines
- Conference poster
