Synopsis
Education remains one of the most powerful social determinants of adult health outcomes. Yet in 2015 one in five children started school with areas of developmental vulnerability. Paediatric health care providers play a vital role in understanding the impact of developmental variation and illness on school participation and engagement. The Centre for Community Child Health works at the health/education interface. Our specialist clinics at RCH have incorporated school functioning into our management plans for children with developmental disorders. Our researchers have highlighted the intertwining of health and learning, put the spotlight on inequalities, and conducted school-based trials that measure effectiveness of targeting different risk factors: asking, for example, if language promotion, sleep and executive function interventions can influence learning and development. We work with health and education policy makers to help parents and communities to promote school readiness as part of early childhood development.
Speakers
Professor Frank Oberklaid is the Foundation Director at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Centre for Community Child Health, Co-Group Leader of Child Health Policy, Equity and Translation at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, and an Honorary Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Melbourne. He is Chair of the Victorian Children’s Council, which advises the Premier and Ministers on child health policy.
Professor Sharon Goldfeld is a paediatrician at the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Centre for Community Child Health (CCCH) and Co-Group leader of Child Health Policy, Equity and Translation at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute. She has a decade of experience in state government as a senior policymaker in health and education, including as Principal Medical Advisor in the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. Her research is made up of complementary, cross-disciplinary work focused on investigating, testing and translating sustainable solutions that eliminate inequities for Australia’s children.
Associate Professor Gehan Roberts is the Associate Director, Clinical Services, at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Centre for Community Child Health, and coordinates the Victorian Training Program in Community Child Health. He is a developmental-behavioural paediatrician and a Principal Research Fellow at MCRI, and the University of Melbourne. Gehan provides research and clinical supervision and teaching at under- and post-graduate levels, and his research interests include developmental outcomes after preterm birth, executive function and health services.
Mr. Anthony Raitman is the Area Executive Director, Victorian Department of Education and Training. Anthony is responsible for over 120 Government schools, 400 early childhood services and a range of community based projects. Anthony has extensive experience in Local, State and Commonwealth Governments, service development and improvement, translating evidence into practice, change management and broader governance and strategy development. Anthony is an Honorary Fellow at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.