“When children are safe, they are free to grow.” – Anonymous
REGISTERED NEW ZEALAND CHARITY
Transforming Tragedy into Action:
Ensuring Safety for Vulnerable Children
Our Mission
At Speak Now, we’re committed to pushing for systemic change by lobbying the New Zealand government to implement legislation that requires Mandatory Child Safety and Care Screening at the time of hospital admission or during critical medical treatment
This law mandates Mandatory Child Safety and Care Screening as part of the healthcare process when a parent is admitted to the hospital or undergoing significant medical treatment, especially when incapacitated, emotionally distressed, or unable to care for their child. It also mandates healthcare professionals to ask detailed questions about childcare arrangements and ensure that safe, appropriate care for the child is in place during the parent’s treatment. This law would ensure that even if a parent is unable to make decisions, the welfare and safety of the child are safeguarded by verifying that suitable care arrangements are made for the child.
We believe that no parent or child should have to deal with neglect or trauma because of a lack of care during medical emergencies.
Our mission is to ensure that every family gets the support they need, transforming the healthcare system for vulnerable families through direct advocacy, community engagement, and media outreach.
Our Vision
We envision a healthcare system that puts the well-being of all patients and their children at the forefront, especially for solo-parent families, by incorporating Mandatory Child Safety and Care Screening.
We aim to foster a compassionate healthcare environment that understands family violence and is equipped to provide effective support for everyone affected by it, particularly within healthcare settings.
Ultimately, we want to build a more empathetic society by educating people about the circumstances that lead individuals into challenging situations. We're dedicated to supporting all families, including Māori, Pasifika, and Pākehā communities, ensuring that every family receives the empathy and resources they need to heal and thrive.
when the "why" is powerful", the "how" is easy
A Worthy Cause
After going through a serious medical crisis and grappling with family violence, Hannah faced a tough childcare dispute in the Family Court against her child's abusive father. Her journey has highlighted critical gaps in our healthcare and legal systems, making it clear that we need mandatory childcare screening in hospitals. Driven by her experiences, Hannah is dedicated to advocating for change to protect vulnerable families, so that no one else has to endure such hardships in silence. Join her in this vital mission to create a safer and more supportive community for everyone.
Proposed Law: Mandatory Child Safety and Care Screening
Identification of Need
Our childcare screening mandate would work alongside New Zealand's Family Violence Response Model. When a parent arrives at the hospital, trained healthcare professionals will look for signs of family violence and assess family dynamics. This initial screening is vital, as it helps identify any risks that could impact a parent's ability to care for their children. By implementing Mandatory Child Safety and Care Screening in tandem with the Family Violence Response Model, we can provide comprehensive support that prioritizes the safety and well-being of both parents and kids.
Healthcare professionals must screen for both the parent’s ability to care for the child and the availability of alternate care arrangements when the parent is hospitalized or undergoing significant medical procedures. This includes asking direct questions such as:
- “Who will care for your child during your treatment?”
- “Can you provide details of the care arrangements for your child?”
- “Is there someone who can step in to care for your child if you are unable to?”
- “Do you feel the person(s) you’ve arranged to care for your child can meet their needs?”
Verification of Care Arrangements:
The healthcare team, including social workers, must verify the suitability and safety of the childcare arrangements. This includes ensuring the designated caregiver is appropriate, and that no one is using the parent's medical crisis as an opportunity to take advantage of the situation or assume inappropriate control over the child.
In cases where there is conflict or uncertainty over who should care for the child, healthcare professionals should check for existing legal orders, such as:
- Family Court orders regarding custody, access, and guardianship.
- Protection orders or restraining orders that may affect the ability of certain individuals to have contact with the child.
- Any court-appointed guardianships or arrangements.
Legal Order and Family Court Dispute Checks:
Before making any decisions about the child’s care, healthcare professionals must check if there are any existing legal orders or ongoing family court disputes that could impact the child's safety or wellbeing. This ensures that the parent's medical crisis is not exploited by individuals trying to gain unauthorized custody or restrict access to the child unfairly.
- Immediate referral to legal services or family courts should be made if there is uncertainty about the legal status of custody or care arrangements, ensuring that children are not placed in potentially harmful or inappropriate situations during the parent's medical crisis.
- In cases where there are disputes over custody or guardianship, healthcare professionals must safeguard the child’s interests, ensuring that the court’s decisions are upheld and that no one uses the medical crisis as an opportunity to gain an unfair advantage in custody or care arrangements.
Overriding Parental Decision-Making:
- If the parent is incapacitated (due to physical or mental health issues, such as the effects of medications, trauma, or sepsis) and is unable to provide accurate or reasonable answers regarding their child’s care, healthcare providers should override any refusal to accept a social worker’s involvement or assistance in arranging child care.
- The law would override any refusal for intervention if the healthcare provider determines that the parent is medically impaired or emotionally unfit to make informed decisions, especially when the child’s safety is at risk due to an absence of proper childcare arrangements or the parent’s current condition.
Collaboration with Social Services
- If the parent’s responses regarding childcare arrangements are unclear, incomplete, or unsatisfactory, a social worker should be immediately involved to ensure the child’s safety, assess the viability of care arrangements, and assist the family in coordinating alternative care if necessary.
- The social worker would also ensure that the parent has access to support, including assistance with finding appropriate care for the child, and would act as a liaison between the healthcare system, legal authorities, and child protection services.
Time-Limited Overrides:
- As with parental capacity laws, these interventions should be temporary, lasting only until the parent’s health stabilizes enough for them to reassess their childcare arrangements and make informed decisions about the child’s care.
- Once the parent is medically stable, their decision-making rights should be restored, and the healthcare providers should review the care arrangements to ensure they remain safe and appropriate.
The benefits of Mandatory Child Safety and Care Screening
Positive Outcomes of Systemic Changes:
Countries with childcare screening mandates for hospitalised parents include the United Kingdom, where the NHS requires healthcare providers to assess the needs of patients with dependents. Australia has state policies that evaluate family needs in healthcare settings, while some Canadian provinces assess childcare needs to ensure children's safety. Sweden's healthcare system also includes protocols for evaluating family circumstances during hospital admissions. A review of these interventions shows significant benefits, with the UK’s NHS reporting a 40% decrease in caregiver stress and a 25% improvement in child welfare outcomes after implementing such measures (Source: NHS UK).
Early Identification
Detects parental and child needs early, allowing timely interventions.
Better Parent-Child Interaction
Supports improved bonding and parenting practices.
Enhanced Child Development
Promotes better cognitive, emotional, and social growth.
Increased Family Resilience
Equips parents with coping strategies for better family stability.
Stronger Community Networks
Builds and strengthens local support systems.
WHO WILL WIN IF A NEW MANDATE IS INTRODUCED?
In New Zealand, around 225,000 single-parent families encounter unique challenges, especially during hospitalisations. Our charity aims to address the significant gaps in support systems highlighted in recent studies, which indicate that nearly 30% of parents experiencing medical crises struggle to secure appropriate care for their children. This often leads to emotional and psychological impacts, particularly for those without a robust support network.
Parents in Hospital
Mandatory Child Safety and Care Screening ensures hospitalised parents receive the necessary support, allowing them to focus on recovery without added stress about their child's care.
Children of Hospitalised Parents
Proper childcare screening places children in safe environments, preventing neglect, violence, and emotional trauma during a parent's medical crisis.
Healthcare Providers
Standardising childcare assessments improves patient outcomes and satisfaction while reducing the reactive burden on healthcare providers, ensuring compliance with best practices.
Advocacy Groups and Charities Focused on Family and Child Welfare
These organizations gain visibility and credibility through increased awareness and support for policies that address family and child welfare, aligning with their mission.
Policy Makers and Legislators
Advocating for this mandate showcases effective leadership and responsiveness to public needs, providing a tangible example of policy impact that can build political capital and support.