NCJ Number
232936
Journal
Child Abuse Review Volume: 19 Issue: 6 Dated: November-December 2010 Pages: 438-456
Date Published
November 2010
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses recent developments in the child protection system in Scotland and the impact of the Child Protection Reform Program (CPRP).
Abstract
In common with the rest of the United Kingdom, child care and protection practice in Scotland has undergone unprecedented change over the last 10 years, including a wide-ranging 3-year Child Protection Reform Program (CPRP). In 2006, the University of Dundee's Center for Child Care and Protection and Barnardo's Scotland Research and Development team were commissioned by the then Scottish Executive to undertake a process review of the CPRP. Drawing on findings from the process review, this article considers the impact of the CPRP. The process review concluded that, in the view of the respondents, the CPRP made a substantive contribution towards the improvement and delivery of child protection services in Scotland, particularly in terms of raising awareness and increased multi-agency working. It was beyond the scope of the review to measure outcomes for children as a result of the reforms. Since the completion of the CPRP, national policy emphasis has broadened from 'child protection' towards integrated support for children under the Getting it Right for Every Child reforms of children's services. The paper concludes with a discussion around where 'child protection' now fits within this context of universal support for children and argues that there is a need to ensure that the valuable work which was done to improve child protection services in Scotland under the CPRP is not lost. (Published Abstract) Tables, figures, and references