Clinical Scorecard: Influences of Structure and Interagency Collaboration on Health Assessments for Children in Out-of-Home Care in Sweden: A Qualitative Analysis of Child Protection Services Practitioners

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• Children in OOHC experience worse health outcomes than peers.
• Less than half of eligible children receive mandated health assessments.
• CPS caseworkers face fragmented routines and unclear responsibilities.
• Interagency collaboration is crucial for effective health assessment implementation.
• Strengthening shared ownership may improve health assessment outcomes.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

• Health assessments should include physical, mental, and oral health evaluations.

Management

• CPS must initiate health assessments as per the Act on Health Examinations of Children and Young People in Out-of-Home Care.

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Regular evaluations of health assessment coverage and implementation barriers are necessary.

Risks

• Children in OOHC face elevated risks of psychiatric disorders and unmet health needs.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Children placed in out-of-home care in Sweden.

Implementation of health assessments is hindered by administrative demands and organizational fragmentation.

Clinical Best Practices

• Enhance coordination between CPS and healthcare providers.
• Clarify responsibilities for health assessment processes.
• Integrate health assessments into broader care pathways.

Related Resources & Content

• Act on Health Examinations of Children and Young People in Out-of-Home Care