child abuse

Children caring for themselves and child neglect: when do they overlap?

For some families leaving a child alone is a necessity because of lack of other options. For others it is a symptom of parental neglect. Understanding the differences between these situations is a challenge for child protective services agencies. This is the report of a study to examine how local child welfare agencies respond when they receive reports of children who are taking care of themselves.

Disabled parents : examining research assumptions

This review seeks to bring a somewhat hidden issue into the light, examining it and considering how the knowledge identified here might influence the future direction of services. Parenting as such has, rightly, gained increasing prominence over the last few years – but the parenting support needs of disabled parents have been largely ignored. This review was developed with two aims in mind. First, to bring together the research literature on disabled parents and, second, to set that research within the context of the policy and practice thinking of its time.

Ellie - Drugs : case narrative

This is a short training scenario originally used in the context of introductory child protection training. It gives brief information from which participants are asked to identify what they are concerned about and what they would do next. The scenario is: Ellie and her partner are prescribed methadone. Their care of their children is causing concern.

What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused: children’s services guidance

Document which focuses on what you should do if you have concerns about children, in order to safeguard and promote their welfare, including those who are suffering, or at risk of suffering, significant harm.

This resource also outlines what will happen once you have informed someone about those concerns; what further contribution you may be asked or expected to make to the processes of assessment, planning, working with children, including how you should share information.