Education and training is a priority service area for the Victorian Forensic Paediatric Medical Service. The multidisciplinary team of the VFPMS provides a range of teaching and training materials and experiences to increase students' knowledge, skills, experience and confidence. Teaching is provided to professionals including medical students and doctors, nurses and other health professionals, child protection workers and police.
Education will also be provided by VFPMS in conjunction with education and training related to the Vulnerable Children Framework, an initiative of the Department of Health and Human Services, Victoria.
The VFPMS uses a variety of teaching strategies based on students' learning needs and requirements for access. We construct our training programs with an awareness of adult learning theory. Consumer feedback is used to modify teaching material and style of presentation.
Who do we provide training for?
Training is provided by the VFPMS for:
- Doctors working for VFPMS
- Rural doctors providing medical services for VFPMS
- Fellow in Child Abuse and Paediatric Forensic Medicine, Fellow in Community Child Health and other trainees
- Medical students
- Protective workers
- Police
- Health professionals
- Other professionals
What kind of training do we provide?
Education and training is provided as:
- Workshops and seminars
- Lectures (including PBL format)
- Web-based learning
- Skills development / skills training
- Small group tutorials
- Student electives
- Materials for self directed learning (including reference lists)
- Supervision
- Peer review
Training guide for VFPMS advanced trainees
Training Opportunities
VFPMS Medical Evaluation of Suspected Child Abuse.
The course is likely to be of particular interest to paediatricians and trainees in paediatric medicine.
The course aims to increase knowledge and understanding about child abuse and neglect including:
- Paediatricians' and other professionals' roles in protecting children
- Legal obligations regarding reporting
- Forensic medical evaluation of common childhood injuries
- Child sexual abuse and evaluation of children's sexualised behaviour
- Strategies for assessment of child neglect and emotional maltreatment
- Neurodevelopmental and health consequences of child maltreatment
Please email michelle.barillaro@rch.org.au to register your interest for 2025.
VFPMS Nursing Seminar: Recognising & Responding to Suspected Child Abuse.
Thursday 29th May 2025 9.00am - 5.00pm
The Larwill Studio
The Royal Children's Hospital
48 Flemington Road
Parkville VIC
Please complete the registration form and email to michelle.barillaro@rch.org.au to register.
This seminar is aimed at nurses, maternal child health nurses and social workers who care for infants and paediatric patients.
The seminar aims to increase knowledge and understanding about mandatory
reporting and recognising children who may be at harm or suspected of child abuse.
We will cover:
- What it means to be a mandatory reporter
-
Mandatory reporting process
-
Red flags to consider when suspecting a child may be at harm
- Understanding the types of abuse: physical, sexual, emotional and neglect