Making the case for 'Rethinking Child Protection Strategy'

Devine, Lauren

Abstract

This paper makes the case for rethinking child protection strategy in England and related jurisdictions. The Economic and Social Research Council-funded study ‘Rethinking Child Protection Strategy’ identifies four new theoretical insights which explain the underlying tensions and irreconcilable issues in child protection and safeguarding policy. The study examined trends in referrals and assessments and the reasons for the large increases over recent years, despite the lack of reduction of child abuse prevalence reported in the general population. The study also examines the use of Public Inquiries and Serious Case Reviews in the context of their use in a culture where under-intervention is almost inevitably associated with failure. The study also examined the use of risk prediction and its impact on trends and outcomes. This examination enables the narratives of ‘failure’ and of ‘success’ in child protection work to be re-thought.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Start Date: Sep 13, 2016
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2016
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• APA6 Citation: Devine, L. (2016, September). Making the case for 'Rethinking Child Protection Strategy'. Paper presented at Critical Perspectives on Child Protection Seminars
• Keywords: child protection, safeguarding, trends, prevalence, serious case reviews, public inquiries, risk prediction
• Publisher URL: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/revisiting-child-protection-strategy-dr-lauren-devine-tickets-27384031375
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : Critical Perspectives on Child Protection Seminars