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Children of adult consumers of mental health services: Towards principles of practice

Abstract Service providers in Adult Mental Health Services are not always aware of the existence of consumer's children and do not routinely assess the adequacy of their care. A greater effort is being made to provide psycho-education for relatives and friends than ever before, but not so their children. Staff of Victorian Mental Health Services are mandated either by law or professional ethics to report instances of physical or sexual abuse. How children's exposure to frightening or neglectful behaviour is to be dealt with is less clear. Is it possible to meet routinely with children of clients to monitor their welfare? There is also the question of the needs of those children placed in alternative care. This article explores some of the questions that were in my mind prior to working in a community mental health service. The reality of deciding how best to proceed is proving much more complex. This article I hope will encourage further discussion and debate on the subject.