Principles Governing Practice

1. In line with Victoria’s Child Youth and Family Act, the ‘best interests of the child’ are paramount and guide all decision-making.
2. Policy direction is informed by scientific principles related to levels of evidence. The VFPMS policies and practices are reviewed regularly to ensure monitoring of quality, and updating as necessary.
3. All investigations of suspected physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect of a child or young person involve a coordinated, multi-professional team comprising Health professionals, Child Protection professionals and Police. All members of the team respect professional roles and responsibilities and maintain high standards of practice, especially in relation to inter-agency communication. 
4. Within the Health sector, in all situations of suspected physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect of a child or young person a multidisciplinary response is considered ‘best practice’. The VFPMS and counselling services (such as Gatehouse Centre and SECASA) provide concurrent and coordinated responses at all times. A VFPMS and counselling professional are available for every client seen.
5. When there are No concerns for a child/young person’s safety, client choice will determine the involvement or non-involvement of aspects of the service response. (Clients and their guardians have the right to decline the involvement of either or both medical and/or counselling professionals)
6. Client need determines the nature and timing of the service response. For example, when the probability of child abuse is low, and the diagnosis of child abuse can be Excluded promptly by VFPMS evaluation, the child/young person’s need for a prompt diagnosis may occur without a concurrent counselling response. (For example, evaluation of suspected Mongolian Blue spots). When a child and their care-givers request counselling in relation to past child abuse, and the child is currently asymptomatic, a counselling response may be provided without a concurrent VFPMS response.
7. The VFPMS is integrated with all other paediatric health services. The VFPMS ensures that each child receives the right service, from the right professional, at the right time (regardless of location within the health sector).
8. Planning (and intervention) for each child’s future physical, developmental and psychological wellbeing is a core function of the VFPMS.
9. All members of the VFPMS participate in professional development, peer review, research, education and training, advocacy and participate in quality assurance activities.