Children taken into care and their mental health problems

Children who have been removed from their parents' care by social services because of abuse or neglect and placed into protective care are known to have a high incidence of mental-health problems. An Australian project in Melbourne aimed to assess and help children far earlier in the process. Of 161 children assessed as part of the scheme more than 60% met criteria for a major psychiatric diagnosis with post-traumatic stress disorder and adjustment disorders being the most common diagnoses. Nearly three-quarters of participants over the age of five scored in the borderline or abnormal range on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. There were more children under 1 and in adolescence in the group being taken into care.

Milburn, Nicole L., Lynch, Marell and Jackson, Jennifer - Early identification of mental health needs for children in care: a therapeutic assessment programme for statutory clients of child protection Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry January 2008, 13(1), 31-47