Paediatrician honoured in Child Protection Week Awards

A paediatrician who has supported children at risk of abuse for more than 20 years has been honoured in this year’s Child Protection Awards.

Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech today announced the winner of the Child Protection Week Research award is Dr Maree Crawford.

Dr Crawford was supported in her work by Queensland Health and the Royal Children’s Hospital Research Foundation.

The team works with vulnerable children such as those inflicted with head injury, and infants with substance-abusing mothers, and helps these families to engage with community health services.

“The Bligh Government’s child protection system takes a holistic approach and its thanks to the support of our government partners such as Dr Crawford that we can protect Queensland’s at risk children,” Mrs Keech said.

“We are building a first class child protection system and research and innovation play a crucial role.

“Working with abused children is one of the toughest jobs in government and I can not thank Dr Crawford enough for her efforts.

“The Bligh Government allocated $85,000 to community groups across Queensland so they can highlight Child Protection week.

“Through our Toward Q2 strategy the Bligh Government is helping build stronger, safer, more caring communities – principles embraced by Child Protection Week.

Dr Crawford acknowledged the work of all her colleagues in winning this award.

“I believe this reward for research in child protection in Queensland recognises not only our work, but is a great support for the importance of research and the information it provides in bettering children’s lives,” Dr Crawford said.

“I have worked with many dedicated professionals from child safety, police and education who have all brought their own professional expertise to finding solutions to often complex problems.

“The Department of Child Safety’s Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) system encourages an interagency and interdisciplinary approach to addressing the needs of at-risk children.

“Personally, my greatest reward comes from my direct contact with the children who come through our service, many with significant needs, others with remarkable resilience.

“Many will be dependent on the love and care of the hard-working and committed foster carers who take them into their home.

“We hope to further develop standards in health care for the physical and emotional needs of children in out-of-home care and ongoing research will play an important role in this.”

Mrs Keech publicly honoured Dr Crawford and seven other child protection workers and advocates at this year’s Child Protection Week Awards at Parliament House on Thursday, September 11.

“These awards are an acknowledgment of the dedication, hard work and commitment of many individuals and organisations towards the protection of children and young people in Queensland,” Mrs Keech said.

“This year’s Child Protection Week theme, Children See. Children Do…Make Your Influence Positive reminds us that it is everyone’s responsibility to protect our children.

“I commend the award recipients and I hope they inspire others to work towards the safety and wellbeing of Queensland’s children and young people.”

Department of Child Safety’s Child Protection Week Awards

·Professional (non-government) – Commitment to promoting child protection issues in their capacity as a professional working in the child protection (or related) field.

Lifeline Community Centre’s Robgill Project Team: Brett Sceats, Trent Savill, Stephen Hoban and Clare Breaden

·Volunteer – Invaluable contributions made by volunteers working in government or non-government agencies.

Peter Jukes of the Pyjama Foundation

·Public Sector – Outstanding contributions to child protection at a practice, policy or service development level within the public service.

Leanne Scoines, child protection worker with Child Protection After Hours

·Regional Program – Program that operates within part of, or across, a whole region to address some aspect of child protection.

Sonia Townson, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs education officer, Bamaga

·Education Initiative – Development of an innovative approach or resource to promote child protection.

Detective Senior Sergeant Charysse Pond of Safehands

·Youth Participation – Involvement of young people in a local activity to enhance the wellbeing of children and young people.

St Francis Xavier School, Goodna

·Research Initiative – Academic research or project work that contributes to improved child protection outcomes.

Dr Maree Crawford, paediatrician, Child Advocacy Service, Royal Children’s Hospital, Brisbane

·Media – Recognises an article or series which highlight child protection issues.

Caroline Hutchinson, 92.7 Mix FM, Sunshine Coast Daily

For more details on Child Protection Week, visit www.cpwonline.org

Media contact: Matthew Hyde 3235 9236