Overview

This activity is part of a comprehensive eLearning training series on children's mental health developed by the Australian Psychological Society.

Working with children, one of society’s most vulnerable groups, represents a considerable responsibility.

This series aims to upskill mental health professionals in their capacity to deliver best practice services to children and their families. 

Across four activities, participants will cover essential knowledge in development, assessment and treatment as well as contemporary issues, for the provision of best practice support and intervention:

1. Foundations

2. Child development

3. Assessment

4. Treatment of mental health disorders

This is the third activity in the series. As the assessment of children raises unique challenges, requiring specific capabilities of both the clinician and their practice, this activity:

• outlines the key principles of assessment,

• identifies cultural considerations and other issues critical to a best-practice approach, and

• addresses child and family interviewing techniques and a biopsychosocial approach to case formulation are addressed while following a case example from referral to final report. 

Important:

While this activity represents a significant learning opportunity, it is recommended that early career or new-to-subject practitioners complete this course in conjunction with supervised practice.

Upon completion of the activity, it is also recommended that participants address any remaining learning needs they may have through further professional development. This approach would contribute towards ensuring that vulnerable group of young children and their families have access to evidence-based support for optimal outcomes. 

Level of learning

Intermediate. This activity is targeted to those who have some previous learning on the topic.

Duration of access

Access to this activity is for 6 months from the date of confirmed registration.

APS CPD-Approved

This eLearning activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality.

Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process.

CPD Frequently Asked Questions

Refer to the APS CPD Frequently Asked Questions for general and technical information when undertaking APS Professional development activities.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this eLearning activity, participants should be able to:

• outline the key principles relevant to the assessment of children and their families,

• identify cultural considerations and their implications for family interviewing and child assessment,

• determine the key approaches to family and child interviewing,

• perform a case formulation using the 4P’s framework, towards a biopsychosocial understanding of a child,

• list commonly used tests of mental health,

• understand the key inclusions for feedback sessions and reports, and

• consider the legal and ethical issues particular to child assessment. 

Notes