NCJ Number
177523
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 23 Issue: 3 Dated: March 1999 Pages: 257-268
Date Published
1999
Length
12 pages
Annotation
A study commissioned by the Welsh Office examined findings of all reports between 1991 and 1996 on cases involving either a child abuse fatality or serious child protection concern in Wales since the introduction of the Children Act 1989.
Abstract
The review included 21 reports and excluded 2 cases that involved adult sexual abusers. Results of the analysis of the other 19 cases revealed seven practice themes related to those identified in previous studies and to six previous British overviews of child abuse fatalities. The themes are assessment, interagency communications, responsibility, number of professionals involves, the role of general practitioners, insufficient training for pediatricians/radiologists, and parental choice. Findings indicated that British child protection agencies are trying to address apparently conflicting policy objectives. They are required to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable children within the child protection system. At the same time, they are being encouraged to adopt a lighter touch in child protection work. Findings suggested that the interagency procedures seem to be appropriate and that the problem now is to find ways to ensure that staff adhere to them. Findings also indicate that lack of resources is another difficulty and that the solution is how most effectively to deploy those resources to achieve the apparently conflicting objectives. Findings also highlight the need for research that monitors the impact of primary preventive strategies that aim to reduce the incidence of child abuse fatalities. Tables and 44 references (Author abstract modified)