Forging new LINKS: the evolution of multidisciplinary trauma treatment teams in an out of home care context.
Kelsey Stalker1 1NSW Department Of Communities And Justice, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Abstract
LINKS Trauma Healing Service is a multidisciplinary team, delivering evidence based trauma treatment to children and families in the NSW Out of Home Care system. The LINKS service model introduced the disciplines of Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy and Psychiatry to work alongside Psychology (positions which have historically existed within the department) in delivering these evidence based trauma interventions. The service is evaluated through research, with both qualitative and quantitative data demonstrating numerous beneficial outcomes for children and families.
This presentation will provide an overview of the challenges of introducing MDTs into this context and a discussion of the strategies used to overcome these. The resulting benefits to young people and families, as well as systemic ripple effects from these changes will be identified and explored.
Further discussion will occur around the learnings and practice implications for the disciplines involved and the subsequent strengthening of each profession’s practice through collaboration in this setting. The presentation will support attendees to identify opportunities to translate these learnings into their own professional practice and unique contexts.
Biography
Kelsey Stalker is an Occupational Therapist, currently working within the LINKS Trauma Healing Service within the NSW Department of Communities and Justice. Kelsey is passionate about improving healthcare access for disadvantaged and minority populations through systems change and approaches that support community health. Kelsey has extensive experience within a variety of mental health and project settings in both New Zealand and Australia. This includes working in a suicide prevention outreach service, DBT team, and more recently, managing Newcastle’s Safe Haven suicide prevention hub.