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Despite a history of critique, concentrated discussion and improved assessment processes, neglect continues to be a major challenge for child protection services. This paper draws on findings from a government‐commissioned analysis of 'serious case reviews' (SCRs) in England, arising from incidents of serious child abuse in 2017–2019. There were 235 cases, for which 166 final reports were available. Alongside a quantitative analysis of the whole cohort, we undertook an in‐depth qualitative analysis of 12 cases involving neglect. A key challenge in responding to neglect in its different forms is that it can be so widespread amongst families that practitioners no longer notice its severity or chronicity – it becomes normalised. In this paper we explore two dimensions of the 'paradox of neglect' where it seems to be everywhere and nowhere simultaneously. The first is that neglect is so closely bound up with the prevalence of poverty that little action is taken to address it. The second is that the overwhelming nature of neglect can blind practitioners to other forms of maltreatment that may also be present within a family. Practitioners, now more than ever, need to recognise the dimensions of this paradox to protect children from neglect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child abuse and neglect is a complex problem that needs to be addressed through a multidisciplinary approach. Nurses internationally have frequent contact with children and are ideally placed to respond to children experiencing abuse and neglect. Nurses' roles can include reporting abuse to child protection services (CPS). This paper reports on one aspect of the findings of a qualitative study exploring Australian nurses' perceptions and experiences of keeping children safe from abuse. Specifically, this paper reports on the theme relating to nurses' experiences of communicating their concerns to CPS and the family when reporting abuse and neglect. This qualitative study was underpinned by social constructionism, with data collected through semi‐structured interviews with 21 nurses working with children in Australia. Key findings reported are: (1) being heard; (2) [feeling] disappointed, discouraged and disenfranchised; and (3) managing tensions between engagement and reporting. Nurses at times perceived that they were not taken seriously by CPS and felt powerless to enact change for children. Nurses subsequently had to decide how, and if, to discuss their report with families to mitigate negative reactions and maintain engagement. This study highlights the need for more effective multidisciplinary collaboration between nurses and CPS to promote change for children affected by abuse in Australia. 'This paper reports on... nurses' experiences of communicating their concerns to CPS and the family' Key Practitioner Messages: Nurses often perceived that they were not taken seriously by CPS and felt powerless to make a difference for children.Nurses experienced a tension between openly discussing their intention to report with families and minimising negative reactions such as disengagement and mistrust.This study highlights the need for greater collaboration between CPS and nurses to promote shared understanding and effective action to promote the wellbeing of children experiencing abuse and neglect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores perceptions of child abuse and child protection matters involving staff working in the out‐of‐school‐hours care (OSHC) sector. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through an online survey, focus group and interviews with staff and managers employed by one organisation that provided OSHC services in Sydney, Australia. This paper reports on their perceptions about implementing mandatory reporting requirements associated with the concepts of 'significant harm' and 'reportable conduct'. The aim of this paper is to engage OSHC stakeholders, including government, in reviewing child protection policies and practices to support educators in their work with children. Key findings indicate the inadequacy of available training, and the importance of relationships and communication between stakeholders, especially OSHC and school staff. This requires systemic change including raising the status of OSHC and the critical role that these educators have in supporting children's development, learning and wellbeing during the early years of school. Key Practitioner Messages: It is important that leadership supports educators to engage in respectful partnerships with families and schools to ensure child protection, and thereby child wellbeing and learning outcomesTraining in supporting children's safety and wellbeing in OSHC is critical.There is a need for a systems approach to OSHC services which places children's development, learning and wellbeing at the forefront of professional practice. 'Explores perceptions of child abuse and child protection matters involving staff working in the out‐of‐school‐hours care (OSHC) sector' [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incidents of child abuse such as the Oxfam case in 2010 of sexual abuse of children by volunteers' and cases of abuse in orphanages by high‐risk overseas volunteers have highlighted the need for the development of effective safeguarding in the international context. This is of equal importance for faith‐based organisations (FBOs) who, like non‐governmental organisations (NGOs), are obligated to create safe spaces for their beneficiaries. This paper reports the findings from an online survey conducted in 2019, which was completed by 72 participants, 39 were representatives from organisations based in the UK which support individuals to engage in International Christian Work (ICW), 33 were individuals who are or have been engaged in ICW in the last three years. The online survey collected qualitative data, which was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis whilst descriptive analytical techniques were employed on the quantitative data. The findings illustrate commitment to safeguarding children and young people in ICW but also the complexities, challenges and tensions around this. The necessity to work collaboratively in local contexts with co‐production was identified as key to developing effective safeguarding practice. These findings have implications beyond faith‐based organisations to others working in the international context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports upon the learning that emerged from a development project which aimed to facilitate improvements in multiagency work in domestic abuse and safeguarding children. The two-year project (2011-13), funded by the Department for Education and led by WomenCentre, a specialist voluntary sector organisation based in West Yorkshire, was undertaken in nine local authorities in the north of England. Activities undertaken during the project included case mapping, service user and professional engagement exercises, observation of local multiagency meetings and provision of training. An evaluative research study examined the work of the project and the learning that emerged. Drawing upon data from telephone interviews with project participants, analysis of case mapping and project reports, this paper discusses some critical issues which emerged from this project. The paper draws attention to the different understandings and priorities which shape interprofessional practice in relation to safeguarding children and domestic abuse, and the complexities of the wider interagency environment including coordination, resources and expertise. Recommendations for improving multiagency work to achieve better outcomes for women and children experiencing domestic abuse are discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Messages Multiagency working in domestic abuse and safeguarding children is complex and could be improved., The impact of professional differences in how cases are understood and managed, particularly in relation to 'risk', as well as different professional priorities and approaches to working with families should be recognised and considered within the multiagency context., Practitioners may want to consider whether 'case mapping' is pertinent to their own safeguarding practices and processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of a qualitative study completed with 16 designated liaison persons (DLPs) for child protection in Ireland. The care practices and systems in place in Irish primary schools that support child protection work are the particular focus of this paper. Recent changes in legislation, following the publication of the Children First Act 2015 (Government of Ireland, Irish Statute Book; Office of the Attorney General), are considered. The Act recognises all teachers registered with the Teaching Council as mandated persons. Mandated persons are recognised as persons who work with children and young people and are required to report child abuse, above a defined threshold, which comes to their attention in the course of their professional or employment duties. Semi‐structured interviews were completed with the DLPs, and an exploratory approach using interpretative phenomenologial analysis was deemed the most suitable method of analysis for the study. Five superordinate themes emerged from the findings, alongside a number of subordinate themes; the theme 'The School Story' which focuses on the care practices that are undertaken in schools daily is illuminated throughout this paper. The findings highlight the need for formal acknowledgement of this work in schools and also for greater interagency communication and collaboration in the area of child protection. 'This paper presents the results of a qualitative study completed with 16 designated liaison persons (DLPs) for child protection in Ireland' Key Practitioner Messages: Teachers, in their day‐to‐day work in schools and through the care structures in place in schools, contribute in a significant way to the safety and protection of children.There is a need for greater communication and collaboration between schools and the Child and Family Agency to support children at risk of abuse effectively.There should be formal recognition in the evaluations undertaken by the Department of Education of the care practices that exist in schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a problem for children and young people living in out‐of‐home care (looked after children). As part of a broader action research project aiming to prevent both harmful sexual behaviour carried out by children and young people and CSE in out‐of‐home care, four focus groups were undertaken with 17 workers at three Victorian residential houses in 2017. The findings reported in this paper were generated through the research question: What do workers perceive as the key challenges in caring for children and young people vulnerable to CSE in out‐of‐home care? Three major themes were identified: (i) children and young people going missing from home; (ii) children and young people not identifying as victims; and (iii) frontline police response unhelpful when children and young people missing. The design of prevention and response strategies to combat CSE must take into account the challenges identified by workers to ensure the best possible sexual abuse prevention outcomes for children and young people living in residential care. 'What do workers perceive as the key challenges in caring for children and young people vulnerable to CSE in out‐of‐home care?' Key Practitioner Messages: Children and young people need to be educated about the tactics used by perpetrators so that they can recognise if they are being groomed or exploited.Residential staff need to be upskilled about how to respond to children and young people at the point that they are leaving the house for the purpose of CSE.Workers need to be empowered to make decisions about the day‐to‐day welfare of the children and young people in their care.Multiagency collaboration is vital in preventing and responding to CSE, and efforts should be upscaled across all local government areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on doctoral research carried out in the UK into the experience of complexity in child protection work. The study explored what complexity meant for practitioners, and examined its significance for interprofessional working. A qualitative, case-based approach was adopted, drawing on the experiences of 17 practitioners working on two separate child protection cases. Participants were from a range of agencies, including children's social care, education, youth offending and child/adolescent mental health. Two rounds of semi-structured interviews were carried out over a period of four months. Interview transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, a research methodology derived from qualitative psychology. The findings revealed complexity to be a multifaceted phenomenon, driven by the dynamics of cause and effect in open social systems. Practitioners' perception of unpredictability and volatility in these cases fed into various aspects of collaborative work: the experience of relationships, the process of assessment, efforts at intervention and concerns about risk. The paper concludes by exploring some implications for policy and practice in terms of how interprofessional networks are set up to manage the needs of vulnerable children and families. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Messages Complexity makes it hard for practitioners to understand cause and effect, predict outcomes and control the course of events., To manage complexity, the team around the child may need to operate as a strategic unit rather than a collection of tactical interventions., When complex cases become 'stuck', professional networks may need additional support and consultation from specialist agencies., 'Complexity makes it hard for practitioners to understand cause and effect, predict outcomes and control the course of events' [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive Child Death Review programme commenced in England in 2008; police, healthcare and social care professionals now work together, using a joint agency approach (JAA) to investigate unexpected child deaths. The aim of this paper is to explore professionals' experiences of the JAA investigation of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI). This was part of a mixed‐methods study evaluating the JAA investigation of SUDI. Professionals participated in qualitative interviews and case notes were scrutinised. Data were analysed using a framework approach. A total of 23 of a possible 113 eligible SUDI cases were recruited. Twenty‐six professionals involved in investigating 12 of the 23 SUDI cases were interviewed giving theoretical saturation of data. The overarching theme was the conflict between the need to investigate deaths while remaining sensitive to families. Other themes were working together, supporting parents, and the benefits and difficulties of joint working practices. All professionals were positive about the JAA, especially joint police and paediatric interviews and home visits. The difficulties included non‐engagement by social care and poor liaison with coroners. The JAA seems to be a thorough investigative process but could be improved by closer joint agency working and information sharing, and more support and training for professionals. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Messages: Joint agency investigation of unexpected infant deaths enables a detailed understanding of the causes of death and the provision of support to families.Joint home visits by police and paediatricians following unexpected infant deaths provide more detailed information and can be more sensitive to families than police death scene examination alone.Prompt information sharing across all agencies is a key part of effective investigation of unexpected infant deaths. 'Explore[s] professionals' experiences of the joint agency approach investigation of sudden unexpected death in infancy' [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents data on 1550 children and young people with experiences of child sexual exploitation or who are displaying harmful sexual behaviours (HSB). Data were collected from two recently merged services operating across Wales: one working with children and young people who are at risk of, or abused through, sexual exploitation; and the other providing assessment and intervention services for children and young people displaying HSB. Importantly, the research provided an opportunity for a comparative analysis of key demographic characteristics and abuse histories of two separate cohorts of children and young people. Clear differences exist across the two cohorts in terms of gender. However, our analysis revealed similar patterns in relation to their experiences of prior abuse, and the prevalence of a family history of domestic violence is near identical. We consider how these findings speak to a need to understand the role of gender, and to recognise potential gendered understandings and gendered trajectories of harm for children. Findings also indicate the importance of directing attention to the wellbeing needs of children and young people who have experienced trauma, regardless of the presenting issues of concern. 'Presents data on 1550 children and young people with experiences of child sexual exploitation or who are displaying harmful sexual behaviours' Key Practitioner Messages: CSE and HSB are different welfare concerns, but the children and young people referred to services for CSE and HSB may have similarly high levels of similar past trauma.There is a need for a greater understanding of how behavioural responses to trauma can be different for boys and girls, and may lead to different risk trajectories.Practitioners should be encouraged to be reflexive about their assumptions of sexual norms and behaviours among children, particularly in relation to gender and their ideas about vulnerability and risk.Practice with children and young people would benefit from recognising and responding to trauma experiences, and also from directing attention to the specific wellbeing needs of individual children and young people, regardless of the presenting areas of concern, that is, CSE or HSB (and gender).Assessment data collected should also reflect the backgrounds, needs and strengths of these children and young people, addressing the underlying issues behind potential vulnerability and harms, and not simply the risks that children and young people may pose or in which they may engage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health professionals fulfil an essential role within the multiagency response to safeguarding concerns. This study explored the experiences, attitudes and perceptions of paediatricians relating to child protection (CP) work. A mixed‐methods approach was adopted, using the explanatory sequential design. The quantitative strand involved a population survey of paediatricians (N = 56). Data were analysed and used to inform a subsequent qualitative strand. Both strands indicated that CP work was perceived as complex, emotive and stressful. Paediatricians perceived themselves to be working within an unstructured system. Despite most reporting to have assessed CP cases, 77.4 per cent (n = 41) had never received training. The majority reported that response pathways and reporting procedures were unclear and that they were not involved in tasks beyond identification. These factors contributed to a lack of confidence and ambivalence towards CP, particularly child sexual abuse. Participants felt reassured by having a designated consultant, however, this role also enabled them to offload responsibility. Overall, CP work was not being fully owned. This study suggests that the lack of mandatory and statutory guidance results in significantly suboptimal practice. Investment in structured training and support systems is recommended to engage professionals. Designated professionals should complement, rather than minimise, the role and responsibility of other professionals. 'This study explored the experiences, attitudes and perceptions of paediatricians relating to child protection work' Key Practitioner Messages: Child protection is the responsibility of every professional working with children.Developing child protection systems requires a strong national commitment reflected in legislation and statutory guidance in order to ensure that they are standardised, robust and sustainable.Engaging professionals in child protection work is essential and calls for structured training programmes, support systems and provisions in law that protect against legal liability.Designated professionals in child protection are essential, however, their role should complement, rather than minimise, the role and responsibility of other professionals.Child sexual abuse requires specialist input. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]