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Child Protection (child + protection)
Terms modified by Child Protection Selected AbstractsImproving Child Protection in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review of Professional Interventions for Health Care ProvidersACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 2 2010Amanda S. Newton PhD Abstract Objectives:, This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of professional and organizational interventions aimed at improving medical processes, such as documentation or clinical assessments by health care providers, in the care of pediatric emergency department (ED) patients where abuse was suspected. Methods:, A search of electronic databases, references, key journals, and conference proceedings was conducted and primary authors were contacted. Studies whose purpose was to evaluate a strategy aimed at improving ED clinical care of suspected abuse were included. Study methodologic quality was assessed by two independent reviewers. One reviewer extracted the data, and a second checked for completeness and accuracy. Results:, Six studies met the inclusion criteria: one randomized controlled trial (RCT), one quasi-RCT, and four observational studies. Study quality ranged from modest (observational studies) to good (trials). Variation in study interventions and outcomes limited between-study comparisons. The quasi-RCT supported self-instructional education kits as a means to improve physician knowledge for both physical abuse (mean ± standard deviation [SD] pretest score = 13.12 ± 2.36; mean ± SD posttest score = 18.16 ± 1.64) and sexual abuse (mean ± SD pretest score = 10.81 ± 3.20; mean ± SD posttest score = 18.45 ± 1.79). Modest-quality observational studies evaluated reminder systems for physician documentation with similar results across studies. Compared to standard practice, chart checklists paired with an educational program increased physician consideration of nonaccidental burns in burn cases (59% increase), documentation of time of injury (36% increase), and documentation of consistency (53% increase) and compatibility (55% increase) of reported histories. Decisional flow charts for suspected physical abuse also increased documentation of nonaccidental physical injury (69.5% increase; p < 0.0001) and had a similar significant effect as checklists on increasing documentation of history consistency and compatibility (69.5 and 70.0% increases, respectively; p < 0.0001) when compared to standard practice. No improvements were noted in these studies for documentation of consultations or current status with child protective services. The introduction of a specialized team and crisis center to standardize practice had little effect on physician documentation, but did increase documentation of child protective services involvement (22.7% increase; p < 0.005) and discharge status (23.7% increase; p < 0.02). Referral to social services increased in one study following the introduction of a chart checklist (8.6% increase; p = 0.018). A recently conducted multisite RCT did not support observational findings, reporting no significant effect of educational sessions and/or a chart checklist on ED practices. Conclusions:, The small number of studies identified in this review highlights the need for future quality studies that address care of a vulnerable clinical population. While moderate-quality observational studies suggest that education and reminder systems increase clinical knowledge and documentation, these findings are not supported by a multisite randomized trial. The limited theoretical base for conceptualizing change in health care providers and the influence of the ED environment on clinical practice are limitations to this current evidence base. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:117,125 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine [source] From Community to Public Safety Governance in Policing and Child ProtectionCANADIAN REVIEW OF SOCIOLOGY/REVUE CANADIENNE DE SOCIOLOGIE, Issue 4 2008JOHN EDWARD DEUKMEDJIAN L'interopérabilité grandissante entre le maintien de l'ordre et la protection de l'enfant au Canada et au Royaume-Uni semble indiquer que nous nous trouvons au milieu d'un changement gouvernemental passant de la gouvernance communautaire à une gouvernance de la sécurité publique. En effet, les discours mettant l'accent sur l'expertise locale en maintien de l'ordre et en protection de l'enfant se sont grandement transformés en raison des critiques sur le manque d'interdépendance entre les organismes. Les deux pays ont maintenant créé des bases de données interinstitutionnelles pour la gestion des personnes à risque. Cette intégration administrative engendre différentes formes de réglementations. Les auteurs concluent leur article en soutenant que cet ethos émergeant peut être conceptualisé comme une rationalité gouvernementale naissante. The growing interoperability between policing and child protection in Canada and the United Kingdom suggests that we are in the midst of a governmental shift from community governance to public safety governance. Indeed, discourses emphasizing local expertise in policing and child protection have largely muted because of criticisms over the lack of interagency interconnectedness. Both countries have now developed national interagency databases for the management of persons of risk. This institutional integration engenders different forms of regulation. We conclude by arguing that this emergent ethos may be conceptualized as a nascent governmental rationality. [source] Department of Health Research Overviews , Past, Present and Future: An evaluation of the dissemination of the Blue Book, Child Protection: Messages from ResearchCHILD & FAMILY SOCIAL WORK, Issue 3 2000Weyts Since 1985 the Department of Health has been providing child care research overviews as a means of bringing together the findings of its funded research programmes. With each successive publication a pattern of design and dissemination has emerged. This is illustrated by Child Protection: Messages from Research ( Department of Health 1995), an overview of 20 studies of child protection. It included an introductory essay, summaries of each project and a set of ,True for Us' exercises. Publication was followed by national seminars and widespread distribution of free copies. Given the substantial investment, it seems timely to assess the impact of the dissemination process in terms of reaching and affecting practice. The survey sought to assess awareness, use and opinions of the report from social services, education and health professionals. It consisted of questionnaires administered by post and telephone calls to a representative sample of 600 professionals working in child protection, 292 of whom replied. The results demonstrate that the book is very well known among most professionals working in child welfare, particularly in social services, and is perceived to have affected the practice of over half of the respondents. The study supports the structure adopted for the report but suggests further benefits in employing a variety of dissemination strategies for different professional groups. Finally, the paper discusses the relationship between overviews and evidence-based services. [source] Home-start and the delivery of family supportCHILDREN & SOCIETY, Issue 5 2000Nick Frost The publication of Child Protection: Messages from Research (Department of Health, 1995) and of the ,Supporting Families' Green Paper (Home Office, 1998) have both highlighted the importance of developing family support services, in keeping with the word and the spirit of the Children Act, 1989. This article presents some of the findings of a three year study of a voluntary organisation, Home-Start, which offers support to mothers with children under five through volunteer home visiting. The article makes connections between the activities of Home-Start and the wider debate about family support in the United Kingdom. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Child protection: crisis management or learning curve?PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH, Issue 4 2008Ruth Gardner As the media portrays England's child protection system as being in dire straits, Ruth Gardner and Marian Brandon state the case for concentrating resources on improving the amount and quality of contact that professionals have with children and their parents [source] Child protection training in sport-related degrees and initial teacher training for physical education: an auditCHILD ABUSE REVIEW, Issue 2 2009Claire Rossato Abstract This article reports on an online survey of child protection training for students on sport-related and Initial Teacher Training Physical Education degrees, and on the views of recently graduated teachers of the usefulness of such training in their everyday work. The results indicate that child protection training is provided in most courses but in varying amounts. Respondents to the survey reported positively, in the main, about the effects of new requirements for teacher training (Every Child Matters: Change for Children, Department for Education and Skills, 2004). Reasons given for not including child protection in courses were: lack of time; the perceived vocational nature of the topic; lack of fit with course aims and objectives; lack of relevance; and the research rather than professional orientation of the course. Recently graduated teachers' views on their pre-service child protection training differed from the claims made about this in the survey. In particular, they raised concerns about their lack of preparation for dealing with potential child protection situations. The article concludes that child protection training within sport-related degrees is deficient in both consistency of delivery and in content, and that, in addition to preparing students to recognise signs and indicators of abuse, curricula should also address undergraduates' confidence and skills for responding to abuse in their everyday professional practice. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The experiences of children living with and caring for parents with mental illnessCHILD ABUSE REVIEW, Issue 2 2006Jo Aldridge Abstract This research provides a three-way perspective on the experiences and needs of children who are living with and caring for parents with severe and enduring mental illness. The views of children, parents and key workers were sought in order to provide deeper insight into the needs of families and the nature of interfamilial relationships, as well as the relationships between service users and providers. Child protection and medical research has long proposed a link between parental mental illness and the risk to children of abuse, neglect and developmental delay. The inevitability of risk associations is challenged by the research described here and outcomes for children of caring for parents with mental illness are discussed not simply in terms of risk to children but more broadly in respect of, for example, positive parent,child relationships. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Child protection at the community levelCHILD ABUSE REVIEW, Issue 6 2004Gordon Jack Abstract In the UK, individual and family-level interpretations of child protection have historically taken precedence over community-level interpretations, despite repeated attempts to balance these two approaches. With the publication of the Green Paper Every Child Matters (Department for Education and Skills, 2003) and the development of Children's Trusts, there is yet another opportunity to ensure that the community-level aspect of child protection is properly recognized and resourced. This is particularly important within the UK because of the large structural inequalities that exist in the distribution of income and other resources and services. As a result of the very close associations between these inequalities and health and welfare outcomes, large numbers of children are adversely affected in ways that are generally unrecognized by the present child protection system. Evidence about the role of parents' social support networks and the social capital of communities in promoting children's welfare and protecting them from signi,cant harm is considered. The potential of strategies designed to strengthen the capacity of disadvantaged families and communities to provide positive environments for children is also reviewed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Child protection in the community: a community development approachCHILD ABUSE REVIEW, Issue 6 2004Sarah Wright Abstract This article describes the development of a community work project which aims to address issues relating to the safety of children within their communities. The project's work is underpinned by an ecological theory of child abuse and embraces a community development approach. The approach aims to engage local communities in de,ning issues relevant to them and in identifying strategies for addressing these issues. The project has engaged in a mixture of direct service delivery, in,uencing and networking activities and ,community capacity building' activities. As the project has developed, the remit of its work has become increasingly de,ned by local people. Market research was undertaken to promote an understanding of the things that children and parents felt affected children's safety locally. A community conference was organized to promote awareness about the issues that were identi,ed and to engage local policy-makers and professionals in discussing potential solutions with community members. A youth forum has been established to enable young people to in,uence local decision-making about issues that affect their safety and well-being within the community. The community development approach is seen as being effective in helping young people to in,uence their environment and in reducing vulnerability through promoting self-esteem. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] REFLECTIONS ON THE STATE OF CONSENSUS-BASED DECISION MAKING IN CHILD WELFAREFAMILY COURT REVIEW, Issue 1 2009Bernie Mayer Consensus approaches to child protection decision making such as mediation and family group conferencing have become increasingly widespread since first initiated about 25 years ago. They address but are also constrained by paradoxes in the child protection system about commitments to protecting children and to family autonomy. In a series of surveys, interviews, and dialogues, mediation and conferencing researchers and practitioners discussed the key issues that face their work: clarity about purpose, system support, family empowerment, professional qualifications, and coordination among different types of consensus-building efforts. Consensus-based decision making in child protection will continue to expand and grow but will also continue to confront these challenges. [source] The New Social Contract and the Struggle for Sovereignty in the NetherlandsGOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION, Issue 4 2007Marinus R. R. Ossewaarde One of the recurring topics in the history of sovereign nation-states is the way in which national identity, and social and cultural differences are dealt with politically. In the Netherlands, that has always had a strong tradition of social citizenship, the government has recently responded to plural nationhood and its problems by turning to new concepts of citizenship. In this article, it is argued that notions of citizenship are, in the end, used to reinforce Dutch sovereignty by creating and maintaining national cohesion. The underlying assumption in public policy is that a strong sense of national citizenship that replaces the old model of social citizenship is the only way to reconcile differences and safeguard peace in contemporary post-industrial society. Three Dutch policy sectors , integration, welfare and child protection , are examined to see how these concepts have taken shape in public policy. [source] Infant mental health, child maltreatment, and the law: A jurisprudent therapy analysis,INFANT MENTAL HEALTH JOURNAL, Issue 1 2008James J. Clark Scholarly and clinical discussions of the legal issues facing infant mental health professionals typically focus on the seemingly intractable differences in philosophies, goals, and approaches inherent in the law and the mental health professions. We argue that forensically informed approaches to practice with very young children can potentially enhance many mental health and child welfare outcomes. This article describes the relatively new conceptual frameworks known as "therapeutic jurisprudence" and "jurisprudent therapy." Using these conceptual frameworks, we analyze representative problems that are typical in infant mental health practice with maltreated children through case examples drawn from their evaluations of children and families in the child protection and legal systems. Demonstrations of how such dilemmas can be approached with enhanced analytic decision-making and practice approaches are presented. We argue that applying such jurisprudent therapy approaches opens up fresh perspectives for evidence-based practices that facilitate creative, rigorous, and intellectually stimulating clinical work. [source] Developing Clinical Terms for Health Visiting in the United KingdomINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING TERMINOLOGIES AND CLASSIFICATION, Issue 2003June Clark BACKGROUND The UK health visiting service provides a universalist preventive health service that focuses mainly on families with young children and the elderly or vulnerable, but anyone who wishes can access the services. The principles of health visiting have been formally defined as the search for health needs, the stimulation of awareness of health needs, influencing policies that affect health, and the facilitation of health-enhancing activities. The project is currently in its fourth phase. In phase 1, 17 health visitors recorded their encounters with families with new babies over a period of 3 months; in phase 2, 27 health visitors recorded their encounters with a wider range of clients (769 encounters with 205 families) over a period of 9 months; in phase 3, the system is being used by a variety of healthcare professionals in a specialist program that provides intensive parenting support; phase 4 is developing a prototype of an automated version for point-of-contact recording. UK nursing has no tradition of standardized language and the concept of nursing diagnosis is almost unknown. Over the past decade, however, the government has initiated the development of a standardized terminology (Read codes) to cover all disciplines and all aspects of health care, and it is likely that the emerging SNOMED-CT terminology (a merger of the Read codes with the SNOMED terminology) will be mandated for use throughout the National Health Service (NHS). MAIN CONTENT POINTS The structure and key elements of the Omaha System were retained but the terminology was modified to take account of the particular field of practice and emerging UK needs. Modifications made were carefully tracked. The Problem Classification Scheme was modified as follows: ,All terms were anglicized. ,Some areas , notably relating to antepartum/postpartum, neonatal care, child protection, and growth and development,were expanded. ,The qualifiers "actual,""potential," and "health promotion" were changed to "problem,""risk," and "no problem." ,Risk factors were included as modifiers of "risk" alongside the "signs and symptoms" that qualify problems. The Intervention Classification was modified by substituting synonymous terms for "case management" and "surveillance" and dividing "health teaching, guidance, and counseling" into two categories. The Omaha System "targets" were renamed "focus" and a new axis of "recipient" was introduced in line with SNOMED-CT. The revised terminologies were tested in use and also sent for review to 3 nursing language experts and 12 practitioners, who were asked to review them for domain completeness, appropriate granularity, parsimony, synonymy, nonambiguity, nonredundancy, context independence, and compatibility with emerging multiaxial and combinatorial nomenclatures. Review comments were generally very favourable and modifications suggested are being incorporated. CONCLUSIONS The newly published government strategy for information management and technology in the NHS in Wales requires the rapid development of an electronic patient record, for which the two prerequisites are structured documentation and the use of standardized language. The terminology developed in this project will enable nursing concepts to be incorporated into the new systems. The experiences of the project team also offer many lessons that will be useful for developing the necessary educational infrastructure. [source] R3 Increasing the awareness of the role of the dental team in child protectionINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 2006A. M. CAIRNS Aims:, Construction and delivery of a multiagency child protection (CP) course for the dental team in five health board areas; increase knowledge of the signs of physical child abuse (CA); increase likelihood of referral when concerned; aid development of individual practice protocols; increase familiarity with local referral protocols and procedures. Method:, A 3-hour course was designed and delivered in five health board areas by two paediatric dentists and a member of the local CP team. The course content included: orofacial signs of CA; role of the dental team in CP; and local referral procedures and protocols. Questionnaires concerning the above topics were distributed to the course participants immediately prior to the start, and 1 month after the course. Results:, A total of 117 members of the dental team completed the first questionnaire and 65 the second. Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of CA improved from 68.5% to 81%. Prior to and following the course: 58.9% and 40.6% reported that a fear of consequences to the child would influence the decision to report (P = 0.019); 79.5% and 38.5% were concerned that their lack of knowledge would negatively influence the decision to report (P < 0.001); 19.4% and 38.9% had a practice protocol (P < 0.001); 17.3% and 48.4% had seen their local guidelines (P < 0.001). Conclusions:, The course achieved increased: knowledge of the signs of CA; likelihood to refer due to reduction in fear of consequences to child and increased knowledge of both indicators of CA and referral procedures; dental practice protocols; familiarity with local procedures and protocols. [source] Perspectives of parents and tutors on a self-management program for parents/guardians of children with long-term and life-limiting conditions: "a life raft we can sail along with" ,JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 7 2008Julie Barlow The lay-led, community-based Supporting Parents Programme (SPP) aims to assist parents caring for children with long-term or life-limiting conditions through support and cognitive behavioral techniques. The value of the SPP from the perspectives of parent participants and tutors was examined in focus groups and telephone interviews. Data were analyzed using framework analysis. Parents perceived a commonality of emotions and practical issues, valued meeting similar others, felt less isolated, more positive, motivated, and more calm; some had found the "real me again." Changes were attributed to techniques learned. Parents were anxious of being cast adrift at the end of SPP. Tutors needed more support and additional training around child protection and confidentiality. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Support needs of children's nurses involved in child protection casesJOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 6 2009VICKI ROWSE MA Aim, This qualitative study explored the experiences of nurses working in a hospital paediatric department, who had direct involvement in child protection cases, to discover their support needs and suggest developments in training and support. Background, The study was inspired by an awareness of increasing anxiety amongst nurses involved in child protection cases. Method, A phenomenological approach was used with fifteen nurses during semi-structured interviews, which were taped, transcribed and analysed thematically. Results, Involvement in child protection has a lasting impact; nurses need procedural information from a knowledgeable supporter during a case; and, they need individualized support. The personal qualities of the Named Nurse for Safeguarding Children were crucial. Conclusions, Involvement in child protection cases has lasting effects for individuals. The emotions generated can lead to interagency and inter-professional communication difficulties and affect the future management of child protection by individuals. Seeking support can be hampered by individuals' fear of ridicule or of making a mistake. Implications for nursing management, This study has implications for the training of children's nurses in child protection procedures, and the provision of appropriate effective support for individuals. The long-term effects of involvement are previously unreported by nurses. [source] Long bone fractures in children under 3 years of age: Is abuse being missed in Emergency Department presentations?JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 4 2004J Taitz Objective: Distinguishing injuries due to accidents from those due to child abuse in young children is important to prevent further abuse. We aimed to study the presenting features, mechanism of injury, type of fracture and indicators of possible abuse in children under 3 years of age, presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) of a tertiary referral Children's Hospital, to see whether those injuries that were more likely abusive were distinguished from those that were more likely accidental. Methods: We analysed the medical records from the Emergency Department Information System of all children below 3 years of age, who were treated for a long bone fracture at the Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, over a 1-year period. Demographic details, presenting complaint, mechanism of injury, type of fracture, other historical and examination data and action taken were noted. Nine indicators that raise suspicion of abuse were developed from the literature. Using these indicators, patients' ED notes were reviewed to establish whether long bone fractures suspicious for abuse had been referred for further evaluation. Results: One hundred patients with a total of 103 fractures presented during the study period. No child had multiple fractures at a single visit. The fractures included 36 radius/ulna, 27 tibia/fibula, 20 humeral, 17 clavicular and three femoral. The mean age of patients was 21.6 months (range 13 days , 35 months). Fourteen patients were younger than 12 months. Review of the notes revealed 31 children with indicators suspicious for abuse, of whom 17 children had one indicator, 11 children had two indicators, and three children had three indicators. Only one child was referred for further evaluation to child protection. Conclusion: Abuse cannot usually be determined by fracture type alone. Doctors in the ED miss indicators for abuse because they do not look for these indicators in the history and examination. Knowledge of indicators that raise suspicion of abuse is needed for a further forensic assessment to occur. The development of specific referral guidelines, ongoing education and a comprehensive injury form may improve referral of children from the ED to child protection. [source] Making Child Protection Policy: The Crime and Misconduct Commission Inquiry into Abuse of Children in Foster Care in QueenslandAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, Issue 3 2008Clare Tilbury Internationally as well as in Australia, public inquiries have become one of the dominant means of scrutinising child protection services. As such, inquiries have become a policy mechanism for defining the problem of child abuse, and developing possible solutions. This article examines the 2004 Crime and Misconduct Commission Inquiry into the Abuse of Children in Foster Care in Queensland. It discusses both the problems and potential of public inquiries in promoting positive change in a contested policy field like child protection. [source] From Community to Public Safety Governance in Policing and Child ProtectionCANADIAN REVIEW OF SOCIOLOGY/REVUE CANADIENNE DE SOCIOLOGIE, Issue 4 2008JOHN EDWARD DEUKMEDJIAN L'interopérabilité grandissante entre le maintien de l'ordre et la protection de l'enfant au Canada et au Royaume-Uni semble indiquer que nous nous trouvons au milieu d'un changement gouvernemental passant de la gouvernance communautaire à une gouvernance de la sécurité publique. En effet, les discours mettant l'accent sur l'expertise locale en maintien de l'ordre et en protection de l'enfant se sont grandement transformés en raison des critiques sur le manque d'interdépendance entre les organismes. Les deux pays ont maintenant créé des bases de données interinstitutionnelles pour la gestion des personnes à risque. Cette intégration administrative engendre différentes formes de réglementations. Les auteurs concluent leur article en soutenant que cet ethos émergeant peut être conceptualisé comme une rationalité gouvernementale naissante. The growing interoperability between policing and child protection in Canada and the United Kingdom suggests that we are in the midst of a governmental shift from community governance to public safety governance. Indeed, discourses emphasizing local expertise in policing and child protection have largely muted because of criticisms over the lack of interagency interconnectedness. Both countries have now developed national interagency databases for the management of persons of risk. This institutional integration engenders different forms of regulation. We conclude by arguing that this emergent ethos may be conceptualized as a nascent governmental rationality. [source] Service user participation in diverse child protection contexts: principles for practiceCHILD & FAMILY SOCIAL WORK, Issue 4 2009Karen Healy ABSTRACT Promoting the participation of children and parents in child protection practice is one of the most complex and sensitive areas of social work practice. Increasingly, child protection legislation and policy in many parts of the world enshrines ideals of service user participation. Yet, with the exception of extensive discussion about family group conferencing, the principles and methods for achieving participatory practices in child protection work remain underdeveloped. We use the term ,child protection' to refer to a broad spectrum of child and family welfare services aimed at prevention of (or intervention to address) child abuse and neglect. This spectrum of services includes intensive family support, family support, domestic violence, statutory child protection and child and family advocacy services. In this paper, we present findings from the first phase of a 3-year study into participatory practice in child protection. In this paper, we present findings from a qualitative analysis of interviews with 28 child protection practitioners across five domains of child protection work. Our analysis reveals three core principles of participatory practice underpinning these practitioners' accounts as well as contextual differences among them. We conclude with a discussion of the educational implications of our findings. [source] Collaboration between service users and professionals: Legitimate decisions in child protection , a Norwegian modelCHILD & FAMILY SOCIAL WORK, Issue 3 2005Elisabeth Willumsen ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to examine the conditions for achieving free and open communication in collaboration. The context is child protection where ,the best interest of the child' is at stake. First, a theoretical standard based on free and open communication and equal partnership (deliberation) is presented. Secondly, an explorative analysis is undertaken of the collaboration process between professionals and service users in two review groups regarding two young people, Jane and Tom, both of whom appear to have psychosocial ,problems, living, in, residential, care., Thirdly,, on, the, basis, of this analysis, recommendations on how to improve collaboration in review groups are made. The findings show that collaboration has several functions: formal decision-making, legitimate decision-making and learning. There is a need to clarify the purpose of collaboration and strengthen structural arrangements as well as develop guidelines for handling challenges at different levels. [source] Child abuse in China: a yet-to-be-acknowledged ,social problem' in the Chinese MainlandCHILD & FAMILY SOCIAL WORK, Issue 1 2005D. P. Qiao ABSTRACT Child abuse or child maltreatment has been a worldwide concern. In China, however, it receives scant attention from both academic communities and government. Chinese society has little awareness of child abuse as it is known in the West and there are apparently different conceptions and treatments of the problem. This paper attempts to delineate how the problem is now understood and treated in Mainland China. The reasons why child abuse has not yet been recognized as a social problem worthy of public concern in China are explored. It is argued that as a signatory of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child there is a need for the Chinese government, the academic community and professionals to reflect on their conception and treatment of child abuse so as to achieve more effective child protection for all children who are victims of child abuse. [source] An overview of the Scottish multidisciplinary child protection reviewCHILD & FAMILY SOCIAL WORK, Issue 3 2004Brigid Daniel ABSTRACT Following the murder of a young child by her stepfather a ministerial review of child protection across Scotland was established. It was carried out by a multidisciplinary team of representatives from education, health-nursing, health-medical, police, social work and the Reporter to the Children's Hearing. The review comprised a number of subprojects and included a direct audit of the practice of all the key agencies. The views of the general public, parents, children and professionals were obtained via a set of consultation subprojects. The audit of practice was built around a set of individual, in-depth case studies. The cases were drawn from the spectrum of child care and protection cases by sampling from cases known to health visitors, education departments, the police and social work departments. The audit considered compliance with guidance, but the key focus was on outcomes for children. The findings indicated that although there were many examples of good practice with children, a significant number of children were left unprotected or their needs were not met. The issues were not unique to Scotland and are discussed under four key areas. The paper sets out the extent of chronic need amongst the child population that the audit revealed, looks at the messages from consultation about issues of accessing help for children or by children directly, and describes some shortcomings of the current system. Finally the paper analyses the ways that the different agencies interact and sets out a model for how the system can provide a protective network for children who are in need of protection and support. [source] Department of Health Research Overviews , Past, Present and Future: An evaluation of the dissemination of the Blue Book, Child Protection: Messages from ResearchCHILD & FAMILY SOCIAL WORK, Issue 3 2000Weyts Since 1985 the Department of Health has been providing child care research overviews as a means of bringing together the findings of its funded research programmes. With each successive publication a pattern of design and dissemination has emerged. This is illustrated by Child Protection: Messages from Research ( Department of Health 1995), an overview of 20 studies of child protection. It included an introductory essay, summaries of each project and a set of ,True for Us' exercises. Publication was followed by national seminars and widespread distribution of free copies. Given the substantial investment, it seems timely to assess the impact of the dissemination process in terms of reaching and affecting practice. The survey sought to assess awareness, use and opinions of the report from social services, education and health professionals. It consisted of questionnaires administered by post and telephone calls to a representative sample of 600 professionals working in child protection, 292 of whom replied. The results demonstrate that the book is very well known among most professionals working in child welfare, particularly in social services, and is perceived to have affected the practice of over half of the respondents. The study supports the structure adopted for the report but suggests further benefits in employing a variety of dissemination strategies for different professional groups. Finally, the paper discusses the relationship between overviews and evidence-based services. [source] Children's nurses' experiences of child protection: what helps?CHILD ABUSE REVIEW, Issue 3 2009Vicki Rowse Abstract This paper reports on one area of findings of a study undertaken in the spring of 2008 at a district general hospital in the south of England. Individual semi-structured interviews using an interpretive phenomenological approach were undertaken with 15 nurses and midwives working in paediatrics who had been involved in child protection cases. The aim was to explore their views and feelings of the experience. Very little research was found to inform this subject and none specifically with nurses working with sick children. Interviews were taped, transcribed and analysed thematically. It was discovered that involvement in child protection has a lasting impact on individuals; nurses need procedural information from a knowledgeable supporter during a case; and they need support from the right person in the right place at the right time for them. The Named Nurse was identified as being crucial in giving effective support to individuals during child protection cases and trusted advice and support helps staff follow through on niggling concerns, potentially preventing abuse. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Child protection training in sport-related degrees and initial teacher training for physical education: an auditCHILD ABUSE REVIEW, Issue 2 2009Claire Rossato Abstract This article reports on an online survey of child protection training for students on sport-related and Initial Teacher Training Physical Education degrees, and on the views of recently graduated teachers of the usefulness of such training in their everyday work. The results indicate that child protection training is provided in most courses but in varying amounts. Respondents to the survey reported positively, in the main, about the effects of new requirements for teacher training (Every Child Matters: Change for Children, Department for Education and Skills, 2004). Reasons given for not including child protection in courses were: lack of time; the perceived vocational nature of the topic; lack of fit with course aims and objectives; lack of relevance; and the research rather than professional orientation of the course. Recently graduated teachers' views on their pre-service child protection training differed from the claims made about this in the survey. In particular, they raised concerns about their lack of preparation for dealing with potential child protection situations. The article concludes that child protection training within sport-related degrees is deficient in both consistency of delivery and in content, and that, in addition to preparing students to recognise signs and indicators of abuse, curricula should also address undergraduates' confidence and skills for responding to abuse in their everyday professional practice. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Considering religion and beliefs in child protection and safeguarding work: is any consensus emerging?CHILD ABUSE REVIEW, Issue 2 2009Philip Gilligan Abstract Diverse, but significant, phenomena have combined to raise both the profile of issues related to religion and child abuse and the need for professionals to understand and respond appropriately to them. The nature of some of these issues is explored and attempts made to clarify them. Data collected by the author primarily from questionnaires completed by professionals involved in child protection and safeguarding work are analysed and discussed. Some patterns are identified and explored. Finally, it is suggested that, despite the apparent emergence of a more general recognition and acknowledgement of these issues amongst many professionals, relevant day-to-day practice remains largely dependent on individual views and attitudes. Moreover, practitioners are able to continue with ,religion-blind' and ,belief-blind' approaches without these being significantly challenged by agency policies or by professional cultures. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] ,Violent' deaths of children in England and Wales and the major developed countries 1974,2002: possible evidence of improving child protection?CHILD ABUSE REVIEW, Issue 5 2008Colin Pritchard Abstract Child protection services are criticised for failing to prevent abuse but demonstrating successful prevention is impossible as it is trying to prove a ,negative'. The alternative is to examine ,failures', i.e. the ,violent' deaths of children (0,14 years) to indicate whether matters are improving or deteriorating. This paper uses the latest World Health Organisation data to compare children's ,violent' deaths in England and Wales with those in other major developed countries. To account for possible ,hidden' under-reported abuse deaths, undetermined, i.e. ,other external causes of death' (OECD) and fatal accidents and adverse events (AAE), deaths are also analysed along with homicides, to compare all ,violence-related' deaths between 1974,76 and 2000,02. England and Wales infant (<1 year) homicide rates were annually 57 per million but fell to 17 per million, a 74% fall. Infant AAE deaths fell in every country with England and Wales falling from 341 per million to 71 per million, a 76% reduction. Both these results were significantly better than those of eight other major developed countries, although England and Wales infant OECD at 26 per million, were high compared to the major developed countries. In the 1970s, combined ,violent' deaths of all children (0,14 years) (homicide, OECD and AAE) in England and Wales were 203 per million, they are now 61 per million, a 70% decline with only Italy having lower rates. The worst rates were in the USA which had the highest combined ,violent' death rate. These overall results in the major reductions of ,violence-related' deaths in England and Wales can be a boost to the morale of front-line staff and provide the public with an indication of the progress being made. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The preoccupation with thresholds in cases of child death or serious injury through abuse and neglectCHILD ABUSE REVIEW, Issue 5 2008Marian Brandon Abstract Thresholds into and between services emerged as a significant theme in the biennial analysis of cases of child death and serious injury through abuse and neglect ,serious case reviews' carried out in England for the (then) Department for Education and Skills between 2003,05. The preoccupation with thresholds was one of a number of interacting risk factors and many children's cases were on the boundary of services and levels of intervention. In most cases child protection did not come ,labelled as such' which reinforces the need for all practitioners, including those working with adults to be alert to the risks of significant harm. Policy makers should acknowledge that staff working in early intervention are working within the safeguarding continuum and not in a separate sphere of activity. The emotional impact of working with hostility from violent parents and working with resistance from older adolescents impeded engagement, judgement and safeguarding action. In the long term neglect cases that were reviewed, the threshold for formal child protection services was rarely met and some agencies and practitioners coped with feelings of helplessness by adopting the ,start again syndrome'. Adequate resources are essential but not sufficient to redress the problems. Effective and accessible supervision is crucial to help staff to put into practice the critical thinking required to understand cases holistically, complete analytical assessments, and weigh up interacting risk and protective factors. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Reflections on training in child abuse and neglect prevention: Experiences in BrazilCHILD ABUSE REVIEW, Issue 6 2007Victoria Gabrielle Lidchi Abstract In cooperation with an international partner, Brazilian professionals based in Rio de Janeiro designed a training programme in child protection to respond to the particular challenges to effective practice posed by the local environment and to address obstacles to its achievement in the existing child protection system. Training participants used a structured process to identify and address such external challenges and internal obstacles. The use of the framework included an exploration of beliefs held by Brazilian child protection professionals. The training was itself envisaged as an intervention opportunity for participants to promote ,bottom up' processes of local systemic change. The programme aimed to provide training that accessed the experience of the international partner's ,community of expertise', but mitigated the risk to effectiveness of a ,transplant' programme that fails to engage with the surrounding social reality and culture. As part of a nine-country international training project initiative (ITPI, International Training Project Initiative by ISPCAN) sponsored by the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), standardised tools were adopted to monitor and evaluate the training process. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||