This is the essential guide to strengthening analytic and intuitive reasoning skills in order to improve children′s safety.

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. Fully updated since the last edition in 2007 – perfect for all those working with children and young people Easy to navigate and locate information – suitable as a reference book for busy practitioners Illustrative boxes in each chapter, drawing on practice case examples to highlight current issues and dilemmas All concepts explained in straightforward, jargon-free language Reflective points to encourage the reader to think about their own practice and apply new knowledge Key questions for students and teachers to check understanding and to explore concepts further Links to resources and further reading Supporting social workers in child protection practice Poverty and child protection New forms of child abuse, including technology assisted child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation, gangs and criminal exploitation, radicalisation, forced marriage of children and young people, female genital mutilation, and faith-based abuse Focus on teenagers, including child protection in adolescence, leaving care, safeguarding and children in conflict with the law, children and young people who have displayed harmful sexual behaviour, and child to parent violence and abuse Safeguarding in sport and leisure Working with parents at risk of repeat removal of their children through care proceedings

Protecting children from abuse and neglect is a serious and complex area of social work practice and understanding the critical skills of communicating with and listening to children′s voices, and those of their advocates and survivors, is essential. In this new edition of a highly-regarded book, the authors offer a strengthened children′s rights perspective and explore four main categories of child abuse - emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and physical abuse. The book also considers legal safeguards and protective processes to increase the creativity and confidence of those undertaking such work. Locating knowledge and skills within a series of case examples from real life practice and serious case reviews, this book is an indispensable resource for students, professionals and others concerned with protecting children. This second edition has been comprehensively revised and updated to include current research evidence and a focus on the neglected protection needs of sexually exploited young people, children in custody, disabled children, young carers and unaccompanied child migrants.

Praise for the First Edition: `All readers will be drawn to the style of the book as well as its content. The structure will make sure that it is not just a "one-off", being read as part of a course of study, but a book which is used frequently as a source of reference′ - Child Abuse Review The Second Edition of this best-selling textbook provides students and practitioners with a broad introduction to, and critical analysis of, the complex issues involved in child protection work. Beckett unpacks these complexities in a clear and engaging way, all the time encouraging reflection and debate through such features as case examples and interactive exercises. The book is fully comprehensive, considering key topics such as: the consequences for children of abuse and neglect; the reasons why some adults abuse and neglect children; the personal challenges involved in doing child protection work; and the organizational framework within which child protection work takes place. Other key features of this thoroughly revised Second Edition include: " Fully updated content: the book has been revised to incorporate new literature, research, legal and policy developments, including the recent Working Together guidelines " Two new chapters: these comprise a chapter on domestic violence in families, and a chapter on bringing about change " Interprofessional appeal: the author addresses all the professionals involved in child protection work, ensuring relevance across a range of disciplines and professions. The new edition of this highly successful textbook will be required reading for students studying social work and allied subjects, and an essential resource for all professionals involved in child protection work. Chris Beckett is based at the Division of Social Work and Social Policy, Anglia Ruskin University. He is the author of three best-selling SAGE textbooks: Human Growth and Development; Values and Ethics in Social Work (with Andrew Maynard); Essential Theory for Social Work Practice.

First published in 1999, this book is based on an extensive research study of the experiences of eighty-three families and the range of professionals involved in initial child protection conferences, this book explores the opportunities and difficulties of working in partnership in child protection within the context of rights, justice and empowerment. The research identifies what families find helpful and unhelpful in the intervention, as well as analysing the difficulties faced by practitioners. In exploring the families experience, the author provides a concrete base for a much-needed clarification of the nature of and limitations on partnership practice within child protection. Equally, the analysis of professional perspectives on current procedures and the agency structures in place to support them provides insight into key intra and inter agency issues, including training. The Identification of the conflicts and ambiguities which are inherent in the particular system, and with which the professional struggle is of particular interest to social work practioners and their managers, as well as to academics and other researchers in the field. The book, therefore, contributes to the debate about what constitutes good practice in this complex field and, while affirming some of the strengths of the existing system, suggests some ways in which both the families and professionals who work with them can be better supported.

Services for families and children are rightfully the focus of intense scrutiny and debate, and there is a clear need to establish a knowledge of which services work well. This volume provides a comprehensive overview of research evidence from the UK and USA on the effectiveness of selected child welfare interventions. It addresses the challenges of measuring effectiveness in child welfare and explains the policy context for child welfare service delivery. Leading international contributors summarize the evidence of effectiveness in each core area, and consider the impact on children's development, parenting capacity and the wider community. Critically, the book also draws out the implications of the evidence for policy, practice and service delivery as well as for future research. This book is essential reading for policy makers, practitioners and commissioners of services in child welfare as well as students and researchers.

Lessons from child protection errors and mistakes in 11 countries in Europe and North America are drawn together in a stimulating study from leading researchers in the field. By comparing and contrasting impacts, responses and responsibilities, it deepens understanding of how child protection systems fail and points to ideas for risk reduction.

Examines the crucial role of nurses and other public health professionals in child protection.

Child protection is one of the most high profile and challenging areas of social work, as well as one where children’s lives and family life are seen to be at stake. Vital as child protection work is, this book argues that there is a pressing need for change in the understanding and consequent organization of child protection in many English speaking nations. Grounded in the recent and contemporary literature, research and scholarly inquiry, this book capitalises on the experiences and voices of children, young people, families and workers who are the most significant stakeholders in child protection. It will be an essential read for those who work, research, teach or study in the area.