Age of Diagnosis, Fidelity and Acceptability of an Early Diagnosis Clinic for Cerebral Palsy: A Single Site Implementation Study

Cerebral palsy (CP) diagnosis is historically late, at between 12 and 24 months. We aimed to determine diagnosis age, fidelity to recommended tests and acceptability to parents and referrers of an early diagnosis clinic to implement a recent evidence-based clinical guideline for the early diagnosis of CP. A prospective observational case series of infants <12 months with detectable risks for CP attending our clinic was completed with data analysed cross-sectionally. Infants had a high risk of CP diagnosis at a mean age of 4.4 (standard deviation [SD] 2.3) months and CP diagnosis at 8.5 [4.1] months. Of the 109 infants seen, 57% had a diagnosis of CP or high risk of CP, showing high specificity to our inclusion criteria. Parent and referrer acceptability of the clinic was high. Paediatricians had the highest rate of referral (39%) followed by allied health (31%), primary carer (14%) and other health workers (16%). Fidelity to the guideline was also high. All infants referred <5 mths had the General Movements Assessment (GMA) and all except one had the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) administered. N = 92 (84%) of infants seen had neuroimaging, including n = 53 (49%) who had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), showing recommended tests are feasible. Referral to CP-specific interventions was at 4.7 [3.0] months, sometimes before referral to clinic. Clinicians can be confident CP can be diagnosed well under 12 months using recommended tools. This clinic model is acceptable to parents and referrers and supports access to CP-specific early interventions when they are likely to be most effective.

A resisting enclave of social rights – protecting the children of former workers: C-181/19, Judgment of the Court (Grand Chamber) of 6 October 2020 Jobcenter Krefeld – Widerspruchsstelle v JD

The boundaries of financial solidarity between the Member States have long been a hotly debated issue. With Jobcentre Krefeld, the Court puts an end to the saga of the rights of children of former workers and their primary carer. It firmly anchors its ruling in the free movement of workers and distinguishes the case from the Dano and Alimanovic cases.

Overview of recent cases before the Court of Justice of the European Union (September 2020-December 2020)

The reporting period (September 2020-December 2020) was a particularly intense time in terms of important judgments on social security with no fewer than four judgments from the Grand Chamber of the Court. This overview reports five cases in total. First, there are three cases on the Posted Workers Directive. The first two are on the dismissal of the annulment procedures regarding the adoption of the new Posted Workers Directive (Directive 2018/957) started by Hungary (C-620/18) and Poland (C-626/18). Then, the FNV case (C-815/18), which is on the application of the Posted Workers Directive (Directive 96/71) to the transnational provision of services in the road transport sector, is discussed. The overview continues onto other subjects, with a follow-up of the Dano and Alimanovic saga in the Job Center Krefeld case (C-181/19), which relates to the access to social assistance for a job-seeker who is the primary carer of a child receiving education in the host Member State. From there, commentary is given on the A v. Veselï bas ministrija case, which deals with the difficult balance between the freedom of religion and the system of prior authorization for planned healthcare. Finally, the Syndicat CFTC case (C-463/19) is reviewed, and it concerns the conditions under which an additional maternity leave can be reserved to female workers without being considered as discriminatory.

Independence and relationality in notions of adulthood across generations, gender and social class

The adult person is in sociological literature often referred to as a genderless and classless being. As a life course phase it is implicitly viewed as a static destination after a dynamic transition period of youth. The aim of this article is to empirically examine perceptions of adulthood in biographical interviews in three-generation Norwegian families. A case-based biographical approach related to gender and social class across historical periods is at the core of the analysis. Thoughts on independence and the Mead-inspired concept of relationality are used as sensitising concepts to examine general ideals and personal considerations in notions of adulthood. The analyses indicate variations over historical periods, generations and life course phases wherein relationality or independence become significant. Relationality may take on different meanings with reference to period-specific gender expectations such as the male provider role and women as the primary carer in families in the oldest generations. Ideals of individual independence as choice or necessity vary according to life course phase, social class and period-specific conditions.

Safeguarding children during the arrest of their primary carer mothers: The role of the police

In Australia, the female prisoner population is expanding, with the majority also being mothers of dependent children. Research has demonstrated that witnessing the arrest of a family member, particularly a parent, can have both an immediate and long-term impact on children’s well-being. Yet, little is known about what causes these outcomes and how children are responded to by police during the arrest process. The aim of this study is to investigate incarcerated primary carer mothers’ perspectives on their arrest circumstances, its impact on their children, and police responses to their children during the arrest process. This study draws on secondary data from 36 primary carer mothers arrested in Victoria, which were originally gathered for an Australian Research Council-funded project. Results show that in around one-half of cases children are present at their mothers’ arrest. The location and time of the arrest can mediate children’s involvement in the arrest scene. Overall, police do not respond well to these children, with discussion between police officers and the mothers about suitable care for children occurring in less than two-thirds of cases. It can be concluded that children’s needs are not fully addressed at the arrest process. More child-sensitive arrest practices are recommended.

Did We Forget Something? Fathering Supports and Programs in Prisons in Victoria, Australia

This article draws from data gathered for an Australian Research Council–funded study conducted in Victoria and New South Wales between 2011 and 2015, which examined how dependent children are responded to when their primary carer is imprisoned. In particular, this article specifically addresses a gap in knowledge by examining the current state of fathering programs in prison in Victoria. To do so, the views of 39 primary carer fathers incarcerated in Victoria are analysed. We argue that there is a distinct lack of support for fathers in prison, acting as a barrier towards maintaining father–child relationships. Findings indicate that 79% of the fathers in this study were never offered any parenting support services or programs. By clearly highlighting the state of fathering programs in prisons in Victoria, this article offers suggestions as to how best to facilitate the connection between incarcerated fathers and their children.

Residence Rights for Caring Parents who are also Victims of Domestic Violence

Traditionally, parents determine their children’s right to reside in a host-State. This means that a child’s right to remain in a host-State is intrinsically linked to the presence of those parents in their host-State. This changed for the eu Member States with the Court of Justice’s ruling in the Baumbast case and was extended in that Court’s Chen ruling. In these cases the Court of Justice, as a first step, acknowledged children as independent bearers of residence rights. To ensure the effectiveness of this right to remain, the Court of Justice, as a second step, reasoned that a third-country national parent also enjoys a right to remain in that Member State if that parent is their primary carer. These rulings play a crucial role in the Court of Justice’s recent decision in the na case. Although Article 13(2) of the Citizens Directive provides for a right to remain as a victim of domestic violence, it is not in this capacity but rather her capacity of the primary carer of two young eu-citizens that ensures her a right to remain in her host-Member State after the departure of her eu-citizen spouse. This contribution seeks an alternative reading of Article 13(2)(c) of the Citizens Directive to that offered by the Court of Justice in the na case. Arguments are found in that Directive’s objectives, drafting history and effectiveness; benchmarks normally used by the Court of Justice in its case law when clarifying the scope of eu free movement rights, as well as that Court’s case law on the declaratory nature of those rights.