Credentialling by VFPMS is not yet operational in Victoria.

Acute Health services credential medical staff according to standards determined by the Department of Human Services.

VFPMS awards a Certificate of Competency to trainees who have demonstrated proficiency in evaluation of suspected child abuse.

The following information is for discussion only.

Credentials are for the purpose of identifying doctors who have demonstrated competencies in the evaluation of suspected child abuse and in the provision of high quality expert opinion evidence (as distinct from direct evidence – ie evidence about what they saw, heard etc) in relation to child abuse.

Credentials are based on three criteria:

• Qualifications
• Experience
• Clinical practice standards

Qualifications

Qualifications in either paediatric medicine or forensic medicine with additional training in the other specialty.

FRACP + additional training in forensic medicine

Or FRACGP + For Med + paediatric medicine training

Or MMBS + MForMed + other training in paediatrics

• Paediatric medicine courses/qualifications
• DHC
• Dip Adol Health
• Dip Infant Mental Health
• Forensic medicine qualifications / courses
• Dip Med Jurisprudence (Clin)
• Certificate For Med (VIFM
• Dip For Med (VIFM)
• M For Med (VIFM)
• APSAC (USA) courses
• Dip / Masters Health and Medical Law
• Sexual Abuse training
  • DSAC – basic and advanced – child and adolescent sexual abuse
  • Terry’s child sexual abuse course
  • APSAC courses
• Courses in presentation of evidence – various Colleges (ACLM)
• Recent graduate - approved tertiary level CP training program SAC approval. See curriculum development CCH FRACP
• Distance education and / or CD ROMs / VFPMS ‘webinars’ and modules
  • AAP physical abuse
  • University of California
  • APSAC distance ed. – e.g. Carole Jenny’s training package
• Grandfathering for doctors who commenced practice in this field prior to the development of courses and qualifications and who have maintained their self directed learning in combination with extensive clinical practice in child protection.

Experience

Doctors must be actively involved in clinical practice.

Case work

Minimum of 5 cases for evaluation of suspected child abuse per year – medical reports must be provided as proof of continued proficiency. Annual appraisal

Or

• Sessional appointment to tertiary child protection unit

 And 

• Continuing professional education (5 yearly – average per annum)
• Self directed learning 30 hours per annum
• Attend one workshop, seminar or conference alternate yearly. (focus = on child abuse evaluations or child protection work)

And    

• Satisfactory presentation of evidence (assessed by stakeholders)
• Written reports          
• Case conferences (including SCAN meetings)             
  
• Court

(What is NOT suggested is a minimum number of years of clinical work post graduation)