Neglect and supervisory neglect — OSCE

Tane is a three-year-old boy brought to the emergency department with a bath scald to his right forearm that fits a spill mechanism on history. On examination his clothing is inadequate for the winter weather, he has untreated dental caries, and his growth has drifted from the 25th to the 5th centile over the past year. The maternal and child health record shows his immunisations are 14 months overdue, and the early-learning service reports he has attended fewer than half of his days this term. His mother, Aroha, is a single parent who lost her rental six weeks ago and is now sleeping on a friend's couch with Tane and his baby sister. During the assessment Aroha confides, tearfully, that Tane's father has recently returned to the home and has hit her in front of the children, and that she is frightened for their safety but does not know where to turn.