The Child Protection Handbook

4th Edition - January 3, 2024
Editors: Rachael Clawson, Lisa Warwick, Rachel Fyson
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 7 0 2 0 - 7 9 7 7 - 1
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 7 0 2 0 - 7 9 7 9 - 5
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 7 0 2 0 - 7 9 7 8 - 8

The Child Protection Handbook explains how to recognise abuse and protect at-risk children for those working with children and young people aged under 18, including in social ca… Read more

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The Child Protection Handbook explains how to recognise abuse and protect at-risk children for those working with children and young people aged under 18, including in social care, education, health services, and sport and leisure settings.

The book has been fully updated to incorporate the impact of new technology as well as current legal and policy frameworks that govern statutory child protection intervention in the UK. It considers all aspects of child protection, including organisational issues, children’s rights, the needs of those from diverse backgrounds, and the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on child protection work.

With accessible, up-to-date information presented in an easy-to-navigate format, the Handbook is ideal for all busy practitioners wanting to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
EDITORS’ PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION
List of Contributors
Acknowledgements
Dedication
Part 1. The Context for Child Safeguarding
1. From Relationships And Community To Risk And Compliance: Reflections On Fifty Years Of Protecting Children
INTRODUCTION
THE PLOT TURNS
THE NEW PLAYERS ON THE STAGE
THE SCOPE BROADENS
A DRAMA IN TWO ACTS
‘WORKING TOGETHER’ AND SERIOUS CASE REVIEWS
INSPECTIONS
VICTORIA CLIMBIE, EVERY CHILD MATTERS AND THE 2004 CHILDREN ACT
DEPRIVATION AND CHILD PROTECTION
NEGLECT
LOOKING FORWARD
REFLECTIVE QUESTIONs
2. The Rights Of The Child
INTRODUCTION
WHAT ARE CHILDREN’S RIGHTS?
COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD
PROTECTION FROM ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE
THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD AND TAKEN SERIOUSLY
RIGHT TO FAMILY LIFE
THE RIGHT TO RECOVERY
A CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEM FIT FOR CHILDREN
CONCLUSION
REFLECTIVE QUESTIONs
3. Humane Practice in Child Protection: The Story of One Project
INTRODUCTION
TIME, SPACE AND NARRATIVE THERAPY
CONCLUSION
REFLECTIVE QUESTIONs
4. Poverty And Child Protection
POLICY AND PRACTICE CONTEXTS
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POVERTY AND CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
POVERTY-AWARE CHILD PROTECTION PRACTICE
MESSAGES FOR CHILD PROTECTION POLICY AND PRACTICE
CONCLUSION
5. Child Protection And The Family Court: An Introduction To Legislation, Policy And Practice
INTRODUCTION
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE LEGISLATION AND POLICY UNDERPINNING CHILD PROTECTION
AN OVERVIEW OF COURT ORDERS IN THE FAMILY COURTS
AN OVERVIEW OF THE LEGAL PROCESSES IN CHILD PROTECTION COURT PROCEEDINGS
CHILD PROTECTION COURT PROCEEDINGS: PEOPLE AND PROCESSES IN THE FAMILY COURT
BEING AN EFFECTIVE PROFESSIONAL WITNESS
CONCLUSION
6. Inter-Agency Practice In Safeguarding Children
INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS INTER-AGENCY PRACTICE, AND WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?
KEY LEGISLATION AND POLICY
INTER-AGENCY PRACTICE FROM REFERRAL AND EARLY HELP TO CHILD PROTECTION CONFERENCES
INTER-AGENCY PRACTICE AT THE POINT OF REFERRAL
INTER-AGENCY PRACTICE: EARLY HELP
INTER-AGENCY PRACTICE: INITIAL STRATEGY MEETINGS
INTER-AGENCY PRACTICE: CHILD PROTECTION CONFERENCES AND CHILD PROTECTION PLANNING
LEARNING FROM CASE REVIEWS
INFORMATION SHARING
INFORMATION SHARING AND DATA PROTECTION LEGISLATION
RECORDING AND USING INFORMATION
SHARED LANGUAGE
CONCLUSION
7. Supporting Social Workers: The Role Of Supervision
INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS SUPERVISION?
THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF SUPERVISION
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
BACK TO REFLECTION
REFLECTIVE SUPERVISION IN ACTION
PAUSE AND REFLECT
CONCLUSION
REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS
Part 2. Key Issues in Child Safeguarding
8. Cumulative Risk Of Harm
INTRODUCTION
DOMESTIC ABUSE
DOMESTIC ABUSE AND HARM TO CHILDREN
DOMESTIC ABUSE AND PRACTICE ISSUES
GOOD PRACTICE PRINCIPLES
SUBSTANCE MISUSE AND PARENTING
THE IMPACT OF PARENTAL SUBSTANCE MISUSE ON CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
EDUCATION AND FUTURE LIFE OUTCOMES
GOOD PRACTICE PRINCIPLES
COMMENT
CONCLUSION
9. Enduring Forms of Child Abuse (Neglect, Sexual, Physical, Emotional and Future Harm)
INTRODUCTION
PREVALENCE
ENDURING FORMS OF ABUSE
SOFT TISSUE INJURIES INCLUDING BRUISES, CUTS OR HEALED SCARS
BITES
HEAT INJURIES EITHER BURNS OR SCALDS
FRACTURED OR BROKEN BONES
HEAD, BRAIN, EYE AND ORAL INJURY (ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA)
CONCLUSION
10. ‘New’ Forms Of Child Abuse (Editors’ Introduction)
10a. Technology-Assisted Child Sexual Abuse: As A Frame Through Which To Develop And Broaden Understandings Of Abuse Involving Technologies And The Online
INTRODUCTION
A FAMILIAR SOCIAL PROBLEM IN A RAPIDLY EVOLVING SOCIOTECHNICAL WORLD
NAVIGATING DESCRIPTIONS, TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
ESTIMATES OF SCALE
VOICES OF EXPERIENCE
PERSONAL ACCOUNTS OF TA-CSA; EVIDENCE PROVIDED TO THE INTERNET STRAND OF THE IICSA INQUIRY
EQUIPPED TO RESPOND?
THE POTENTIALITIES
CONCLUSION
10b. Child Sexual Exploitation
INTRODUCTION
PREVALENCE OF CSE IN THE UK
VULNERABILITIES, VICTIMHOOD AND SURVIVORS
CONCLUSION
10c. Gangs And Child Criminal Exploitation
INTRODUCTION
DEFINING CHILD CRIMINAL EXPLOITATION
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GANGS AND CRIMINAL EXPLOITATION
WHAT CAN HAPPEN TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL EXPLOITATION?
ADDRESSING CRIMINAL EXPLOITATION IN THE SAFEGUARDING ARENA
CONCLUSION
10d. Radicalisation
INTRODUCTION
RECOGNISING RADICALISATION – WHO MIGHT BE VULNERABLE?
RECOGNISING RADICALISATION – HOW MIGHT IT HAPPEN?
GOVERNMENT RESPONSES TO RADICALISATION – THE PREVENT STRATEGY
PRACTITIONERS’ RESPONSES
CONCLUSION
10e. Forced Marriage Of Children And Young People
INTRODUCTION
CHILD MARRIAGE AND FORCED MARRIAGE: SOME GLOBAL CONTEXT
WHAT ARE THE DRIVERS FOR FORCED MARRIAGE OF CHILDREN IN THE UK AND WHO IS MOST AT RISK?
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE FROM FORCED MARRIAGE
USING THE LAW TO HELP PREVENT FORCED MARRIAGE
CONCLUSION
10f. FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION?
WHY IS FMG PRACTICED?
WHEN IS FMG PERFORMED?
HOW FMG IS PERFORMED AND HEALTH CONSEQUENCES
PREVALENCE
FGM AND THE LAW
RESPONDING TO CONCERNS
CONCLUSION
10g. CHILD ABUSE LINKED TO FAITH OR BELIEF
INTRODUCTION
ORIGINS OF CHILD ABUSE LINKED TO FAITH OR BELIEF
DEFINITION AND PREVALENCE OF CHILD ABUSE LINKED TO FAITH OR BELIEF
LAW AND POLICY
LEARNING FROM CASES OF CHILD ABUSE LINKED TO FAITH OR BELIEF
PROTECTING CHILDREN ACROSS CULTURE AND FAITH
11. CHARACTERISTICS THAT ACCENTUATE VULNERABILITY (EDITORS’ INTRODUCTION)
11a. DISABLED CHILD PROTECTION – EVIDENCE FOR IMPROVED PRACTICE IN THE UK
INTRODUCTION
INCREASED RISK OF ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION FOR DISABLED CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
PREVENTION OF ABUSE OF DISABLED CHILDREN
IDENTIFICATION OF ABUSE – DISCLOSING AND DISCOVERY
Responses: Working Directly with Disabled Children and Young People
Responses: Working with Families of Disabled Children and Young People
Responses: Importance of Multiagency Working
WHAT DISABLED CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE SEE AS POSITIVE PRACTICE WHICH WILL AID THEIR RECOVERY AND SURVIVORSHIP
CONCLUSION
REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS
11b. BEING A LOOKED AFTER CHILD
INTRODUCTION
LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN – CONTEXT AND OVERVIEW
LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN – ‘VULNERABILITIES’ ARISING FROM ENHANCED NEEDS
MENTAL HEALTH, EDUCATION AND LEAVING CARE
WORKING WITH LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN
CONCLUSION
11c. BEING A REFUGEE OR ASYLUM SEEKER
INTRODUCTION
THE LEGAL AND POLICY CONTEXT
CONCLUSION
Reflective Questions
11d. BEING A YOUNG CARER
INTRODUCTION
HOW MANY YOUNG CARERS ARE THERE IN THE UK?
WHAT DO YOUNG CARERS DO, AND WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF CARING ON CHILDREN’S LIVES?
EARLY INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION
THE RIGHTS OF YOUNG CARERS AND PROTECTING CHILDHOODS
CONCLUSION
12. FROM 10S TO TEENS: WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE (EDITORS INTRODUCTION)
12a. CHILD PROTECTION IN ADOLESCENCE
INTRODUCTION
TRENDS IN ADOLESCENCE
EMERGENT NEEDS IN ADOLESCENCE
COMPLEXITIES IN ADDRESSING ADOLESCENT NEEDS
IMPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPING CHILD PROTECTION PRACTICE IN RELATION TO ADOLESCENCE
REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS
Chapter 12b. LEAVING CARE
INTRODUCTION
LEAVING CARE AND CARE LEAVERS
POLICY CONTEXT
CARE LEAVERS IN THE UK: CHARACTERISTICS
EXPERIENCES OF LEAVING CARE
HEALTH
CONCLUSION
12c. SAFEGUARDING AND CHILDREN IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW
INTRODUCTION
CHILD VULNERABILITY, INTERSECTIONALITY AND THE YOUTH JUSTICE SYSTEM
SAFEGUARDING: CHILD CRIMINAL EXPLOITATION
SAFEGUARDING AGAINST CHILD CRIMINAL EXPLOITATION
CONCLUSION
12d. CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WHO SEXUALLY HARM OTHERS
INTRODUCTION
ATTITUDES AND VALUES
DEFINITIONS AND KEY CHARACTERISTICS
PREVALENCE IN UK
THE NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE DISPLAYED HARMFUL SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR
RESPONDING TO HARMFUL SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS
CONCLUSION
12e. CHILD TO PARENT VIOLENCE AND ABUSE
INTRODUCTION
DEFINING CHILD TO PARENT VIOLENCE AND ABUSE
PREVALENCE AND EMERGING TRENDS
WHY DOES CPVA OCCUR, AND WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
LEGISLATION, POLICY AND PRACTICE RESPONSES
SUPPORTING FAMILIES EFFECTIVELY
CONCLUSION
Part 3. Child Protection Practices
13. CULTURALLY SENSITIVE CHILD PROTECTION PRACTICE
INTRODUCTION
ASSESSING BLACK, ASIAN AND MINORITY ETHNIC CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES
BAME CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITHIN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM
THE CULTURAL COMPETENCE CONTINUUM
CONCLUSION
14. MODELS OF CHILD PROTECTION PRACTICE
INTRODUCTION: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THEORIES, MODELS AND METHODS
THE HACKNEY MODEL
THE HACKNEY MODEL: THE EVIDENCE BASE
SIGNS OF SAFETY
SIGNS OF SAFETY: ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS
SIGNS OF SAFETY: THE EVIDENCE BASE
FAMILY GROUP CONFERENCING
FAMILY GROUP CONFERENCES: THE EVIDENCE BASE
CONTEMPORARY COMMONALITIES
CONCLUSION
REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS
15. Safeguarding Children: The Assessment Challenges
INTRODUCTION
RELATIONSHIPS AT THE HEART OF ASSESSMENT PRACTICE
THE CHALLENGES OF USING THE FRAMEWORK FOR ASSESSMENT
KEY RECURRING CHALLENGES ARISING FROM SERIOUS CASE REVIEWS, OFSTED INSPECTIONS AND CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH
ENHANCING EXISTING ASSESSMENT STRUCTURES
TOWARD A CONTEMPORARY ASSESSMENT PROCESS TO STRUCTURE ASSESSMENTS
CONCLUSION
16. Child Protection Legislation In Emergency Situations
INTRODUCTION
EMERGENCY PROTECTION ORDERS
POLICE POWERS OF PROTECTION
ALTERNATIVE WAYS OF HANDLING AN EMERGENCY (s. 20 Children Act 1989)
CONCLUSION
17. Child Protection And The Criminal Justice System
INTRODUCTION
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
THE CROWN PROSECUTION SERVICE AND THE DECISION TO PROSECUTE
COMPETENCY, COMPELLABILITY, AND SWORN AND UNSWORN EVIDENCE
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE GIVING EVIDENCE AT TRIAL
SPECIAL MEASURES AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Conclusion
18. Direct Work With Children
INTRODUCTION
RIGHTS-BASED DIRECT WORK
THE VOICE OF THE CHILD
DIRECT WORK AS AN INTERPERSONAL AND INTERPRETIVE ENDEAVOUR
BUILDING RAPPORT, TRUST AND SAFETY
PLAY AS A FACILITATOR OF FOCUSED WORK
CONCLUSION
19. Working With Parents (Editor’s Introduction)
19a. Working With Parents With Learning Disabilities
INTRODUCTION
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT PARENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES AND THEIR CHILDREN?
CHILD PROTECTION, ASSESSMENT AND PRACTICE ISSUES
SUPPORTING PARENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES WHERE THERE ARE CHILD PROTECTION CONCERNS – THE GOOD PRACTICE GUIDANCE AND THE ‘6Ts’ FRAMEWORK FOR PRACTICE
CONCLUSION
19b. Working With Parents Experiencing Mental Distress
INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS MENTAL DISTRESS?
THE PREVALENCE OF MENTAL DISTRESS IN THE GENERAL POPULATION AND PARENTS
WHY CHILD PROTECTION PRACTITIONERS NEED TO UNDERSTAND AND WORK WITH PARENTAL MENTAL DISTRESS
HOW TO RESPOND TO AND WORK WITH PARENTAL MENTAL DISTRESS
HOW TO RESPOND IF A PARENT HAS SUICIDAL THOUGHTS
WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE FOR PARENTS EXPERIENCING MENTAL DISTRESS?
CONCLUSION
19c. Young Parents
INTRODUCTION
WHO ARE YOUNG PARENTS?
WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOUNG PARENTS FACE?
PARTNERSHIP WORKING WITH YOUNG PARENTS
ASSESSMENTS: GOOD PRACTICE WITH YOUNG PARENTS
YOUNG FATHERS
EXPLORING THE WIDER FAMILY AND FRIENDS’ NETWORK
SPECIALIST INFORMATION, ADVICE AND ADVOCACY
PLANS FOR CARE EXPERIENCED YOUNG PEOPLE, PLANS FOR THEIR CHILDREN
POST-REMOVAL SUPPORT
CONCLUSION
19d. Compassionate And Effective Practice With Parents At Risk Of Repeat Removal Of Their Children Through Care Proceedings
INTRODUCTION
PARENTS IN REPEAT CARE PROCEEDINGS: THE STATISTICS
PRACTICE SHORTFALLS: WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE?
PRACTICE DEVELOPMENTS: COMMON ELEMENTS OF EFFECTIVE PRACTICE
CONCLUSION
20. Safeguarding In Educational Settings
THE POLICY CONTEXT OF SCHOOLS’ ROLE IN CHILD PROTECTION
THE ROLE OF THE DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD
DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IN EDUCATION GUIDANCE
SAFEGUARDING IN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS
ENGAGING SCHOOLS IN A MULTIAGENCY RESPONSE TO CHILD PROTECTION
THRESHOLDS
MANAGING DISCLOSURES AND REFERRING TO CHILDREN’S SOCIAL CARE
ROLE OF SCHOOLS IN EARLY HELP
CHILD-ON-CHILD ABUSE
THE FACILITATORS AND BARRIERS FOR SCHOOLS WORKING WITH OTHER AGENCIES
SAFE RECRUITMENT PRACTICES
ALLEGATIONS AGAINST STAFF
THE CHANGING NATURE OF PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN SCHOOLS
CONCLUSION
21. Safeguarding Children In Healthcare Contexts
INTRODUCTION
MEDICAL INDICATORS OF ABUSE
UNDERNUTRITION AND FAILURE TO THRIVE
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN IN HOSPITALS
FUTURE DIRECTIONS
CONCLUSION
22. Safeguarding In Sport And Leisure
INTRODUCTION
SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY STRUCTURES IN THE UK
SPORTS SAFEGUARDING ARRANGEMENTS
SPORT SPECIFIC SAFEGUARDING CONSIDERATIONS
POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS TO SAFEGUARDING
CONCLUSION
SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND SUPPORT FOR STATUTORY AGENCIES
23. Editors’ Final Thoughts: Child Protection Beyond The Pandemic
WHAT HAPPENED TO CHILD PROTECTION PRACTICE DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND WHAT CAN BE LEARNED FROM THIS?
LOOKING BEYOND THE PANDEMIC
Index

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The Child Protection Handbook

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Rachael Clawson

Lisa Warwick

Rachel Fyson