Working with families experiencing violence: The Ploeger Model of Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Nursing Practice

Abstract

This paper describes the Ploeger Model of enhanced maternal and child health (EMCHN) nursing practice that has been operationalised since 1997.These EMCHNs work with families whose infants and children are exposed to violence. Family violence is complex and many layered. It presents a situation of fear and unpredictability that is difficult to identify and manage. If this situation continues during the child rearing years the effect on the health and wellbeing of infants and children may range from death to life long disabilities. Maternal, siblings and families’ health and wellbeing can also be impacted upon for life.The need for enhanced skills for identifying and supporting vulnerable families and safeguarding children at risk has been highlighted by the Department of Health (2004). The Ploeger Model provides an example of early identification and intervention using both secondary and tertiary prevention strategies to identify and make referrals within a multidisciplinary, collaborative partnership, and a process of mutual clinical supervision. Another feature of the model is ‘assertive outreach’, which assists with early engagement with the family focusing on social support. Each of these helps achieve positive outcomes for children and their families. CSuch front line professionals must have the knowledge, skills, time and management support to work eff ectively with these families.

Key Words:

• child health
• child development
• child assessment
• assertive outreach
• maternal and child health nursing
• domestic violence
• clinical supervision
• social support, secondary and tertiary prevention