Safeguarding Children Across Services

"Safeguarding Children Across Services" provides a summary of important evidence on child protection and addresses the key issues facing today's practitioners. Based on the latest research, it gives practical and accessible advice for those involved in safeguarding children. This book begins by defining the different forms of abuse and their effects, and examining the effectiveness of universal preventative measures such as education programmes. The core of the book evaluates methods for intervention following abuse, beginning with a consideration of general interventions, including social work, which help parents to modify their behaviours. The following chapters analyse specific therapeutic interventions where there is a family history of drug abuse, domestic violence or mental health difficulties. This book also focuses on the implications of child protection practice for adolescents, an important but often-overlooked subject. Throughout the book, the authors recommend ways in which inter-agency communication, clear guidelines for referral and assessment, and earlier intervention can lead to more effective prevention of childhood abuse. Providing a critical account of policy, systems and practice, this book will be essential reading for anyone involved in the process of safeguarding children, from policymakers and social workers to healthcare professionals and students. Safeguarding children from abuse is of paramount importance. This series communicates messages for practice from an extensive Government-funded research programme designed to improve early recognition of child abuse as well as service responses and interventions. The series addresses a range of forms of abuse, including emotional and physical abuse and neglect, and outlines strategies for effective interagency collaboration, successful intervention and best practice. Titles in the series will be essential reading for practitioners with responsibility for safeguarding children.