Published 6 January 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.a3137
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;338:a3137

Letters

Case of Baby P

Let’s go back to basics in child protection

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The review of child protection in Haringey in the wake of the case of Baby P focuses on systemic failures at the risk of missing some important issues.¹

Children’s social care services nationally have been distracted by the agenda of organisational change (children’s trusts),² poorly evidenced initiatives for integrated information systems,³ and complicated inspection procedures.⁴

The training for professionals working in child protection services has moved away from the importance and seriousness of physical abuse. The broader definitions of neglect and emotional abuse have resulted in training, effort, and resources being diverted to awareness of these forms of abuse.

Also, the recent high profile of internet abuse, the emphasis on preventing domestic violence, and the application of a range of information collection and audit tools for safeguarding children distract from the dangers facing children who are physically abused. A whole generation of child protection professionals may not be aware of . . . [Full text of this article]

¹ Slough SL1 2BJ

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    StumbleUpon    Technorati    What's this?

Relevant Articles

There are no "basics" in child protection

Lillian De Bortoli
BMJ 2009 338: b408. [Extract] [Full Text]

All about letters

Jane Smith
BMJ 2009 338: b23. [Extract] [Full Text]

Health secretary asks commission to look into role of four NHS trusts in Baby P case

Clare Dyer
BMJ 2008 337: a2845. [Extract] [Full Text]

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Bortoli, L. D. (2009). There are no "basics" in child protection. BMJ 338: b408-b408 [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Child abuse and neglect. Recognising is vital, responding is crucial but good team playing is life saving.

Lida Kourita
bmj.com, 12 Jan 2009 [Full text]

There are no 'basics' in child protection

Lillian De Bortoli, et al.
bmj.com, 16 Jan 2009 [Full text]

Online poll

Find out more here>> and here>>