Department of Health

Vulnerable children

All Victorian health services and health professionals have a responsibility to protect the safety and wellbeing of children who are vulnerable to poor health and wellbeing outcomes as a result of adversity and disadvantage. Health services play a vital role in identifying, responding and supporting these vulnerable children and their families.

Who do we mean by vulnerable children?

Child vulnerability is the outcome of adverse experiences that significantly impacts and/or threatens child safety, wellbeing and ability to thrive.

Vulnerability can be multifaceted and is influenced by:

  • social and environmental circumstances impacting the family
  • parental or family trauma
  • parental capacity
  • experience of child abuse and neglect.

Vulnerability is not a permanent state and may be time limited. If the issues impacting on vulnerability are not addressed, then vulnerability will result in life-long adverse impacts.

Health services must have a heightened awareness of the family circumstances of adult clients and consider the impact of illness or parental risk factors on their client’s children.

These pages are designed to support health professionals navigate their responsibilities to protect children and young people from harm, and to support the health and wellbeing of children and young people experiencing vulnerability.

Identifying vulnerable children

Useful information and resources to support health professionals identify children experiencing vulnerability due to child abuse and neglect and respond to their needs.

Healthcare that counts

Quality improvement framework to strengthen health outcomes for vulnerable children, their families and carers by embedding organisational governance, systems and structures.

Free online Children at Risk training

Register or log in to access free online training and resources to support your understanding of your responsibilities to children and young people experiencing vulnerability.

Access free training and resources on protecting vulnerable children

Pathway to good health for children in care

Health screening, assessment, referrals and health planning to all Victorian children aged 0-17 years entering or re-entering statutory child protection care.

Children's Health and Wellbeing Locals

Multi-disciplinary health and wellbeing support for children aged 0-11 who may be experiencing developmental, emotional, relational and behavioural challenges, their families and carers.

Vulnerable children - Responsibilities of health professionals

Information about the roles and responsibilities of health professionals to provide for children and young people at risk of harm.

Reviewed 16 July 2024

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Child Health Equity

50 Lonsdale Street , Melbourne, VIC 3000
healthcarethatcounts@health.vic.gov.au