Follow-up with Children from Vulnerable and Distressed Families Who Miss Childhood Development Screening Checks

Debated in Parliament on 2 Jul 2024.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

The Ministry states that Childhood Developmental Screening checks are voluntary but streamlined to coincide with vaccination appointments, and non-attendance does not automatically indicate neglect or abuse, as parents may have legitimate reasons like work commitments.
ComLink+ family coaches and preschool outreach workers engage lower-income families to encourage attendance at both vaccinations and developmental screenings.
Community partners, health institutions, and social service agencies are trained to watch for signs of neglect or abuse and refer cases to Child Protective Service if needed.
Suspected cases can be reported by the public or partners via the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline, with protocols in place for investigation when families cannot be contacted.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Joan Pereira

Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what support measures are in place to follow up on children from vulnerable and distressed families who miss their Childhood Developmental Screening (CDS) checks and whose parents or guardians are non-compliant; (b) whether the Ministry considers the non-attendance of CDS checks as an early sign of possible neglect or abuse; and (c) how does the Ministry investigate such suspected cases of neglect or abuse where families cannot be contacted.

Masagos Zulkifli B M M

Childhood Developmental Screening (CDS) serves to identify children at risk of developmental delay for early intervention. CDS is not compulsory but has been streamlined to be conducted together with recommended childhood vaccinations.

Not attending CDS, in itself, does not mean the child is vulnerable or that the child is at risk of neglect or abuse, as there could be other reasons for non-attendance, such as parental work commitments. ComLink+ family coaches and preschool outreach workers also work with lower-income families to encourage them to bring their children for recommended vaccinations and CDS checks can also be done at the same appointment.

The Government works with community partners, including health institutions and social service agencies, to watch out for signs of neglect or abuse. Protocols are in place for agencies to contact the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s Child Protective Service if such signs are detected. Community partners and members of the public can also call the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline to report suspected cases of neglect or abuse.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

The Ministry states that Childhood Developmental Screening checks are voluntary but streamlined to coincide with vaccination appointments, and non-attendance does not automatically indicate neglect or abuse, as parents may have legitimate reasons like work commitments.
ComLink+ family coaches and preschool outreach workers engage lower-income families to encourage attendance at both vaccinations and developmental screenings.
Community partners, health institutions, and social service agencies are trained to watch for signs of neglect or abuse and refer cases to Child Protective Service if needed.
Suspected cases can be reported by the public or partners via the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline, with protocols in place for investigation when families cannot be contacted.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Follow-up with Children from Vulnerable and Distressed Families Who Miss Childhood Development Screening Checks | PAPERCUTS

Follow-up with Children from Vulnerable and Distressed Families Who Miss Childhood Development Screening Checks

Debated in Parliament on 2 Jul 2024.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

The Ministry states that Childhood Developmental Screening checks are voluntary but streamlined to coincide with vaccination appointments, and non-attendance does not automatically indicate neglect or abuse, as parents may have legitimate reasons like work commitments.
ComLink+ family coaches and preschool outreach workers engage lower-income families to encourage attendance at both vaccinations and developmental screenings.
Community partners, health institutions, and social service agencies are trained to watch for signs of neglect or abuse and refer cases to Child Protective Service if needed.
Suspected cases can be reported by the public or partners via the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline, with protocols in place for investigation when families cannot be contacted.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Joan Pereira

Masagos Zulkifli B M M

Summary written by AI (learn more)

The Ministry states that Childhood Developmental Screening checks are voluntary but streamlined to coincide with vaccination appointments, and non-attendance does not automatically indicate neglect or abuse, as parents may have legitimate reasons like work commitments.
ComLink+ family coaches and preschool outreach workers engage lower-income families to encourage attendance at both vaccinations and developmental screenings.
Community partners, health institutions, and social service agencies are trained to watch for signs of neglect or abuse and refer cases to Child Protective Service if needed.
Suspected cases can be reported by the public or partners via the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline, with protocols in place for investigation when families cannot be contacted.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Follow-up with Children from Vulnerable and Distressed Families Who Miss Childhood Development Screening Checks

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Joan Pereira

Masagos Zulkifli B M M

Summary

Questions Identified

Follow-up with Children from Vulnerable and Distressed Families Who Miss Childhood Development Screening Checks

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Joan Pereira

Masagos Zulkifli B M M

Summary

Questions Identified