Health visitors should have a greater role in child protection, claims expert
Kat Baldwyn
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Not enough emphasis is placed on the role of the health sector in safeguarding children, according to Kevin Browne, professor of forensic psychology and child health at the University of Nottingham.
Speaking at a masterclass at the annual conference of Unite/Community Practitioners’ and Health Visitors’ Association (CPHVA), he said home visitation programmes are the best way to deal with things such as abuse and neglect.
He added: "Two children a week die in the UK as a result of abuse or neglect and a similar number are left disabled.
"Money being put into social services has made no difference to the number of children who die – it has remained the same since the 1980s.
"A lot has been done on the role of education and social services in safeguarding but it is the health sector that could make the most difference to the number of children who die each year."
Browne said community health visitors also have the potential to spot families who have drink or drug problems early on.
He added: "These are the problems that most often lead to shaken baby syndrome. Health visitors can see what intervention is needed and act quickly.
"They are also best placed to deal with cases of neglect and inappropriate parenting. Families with these problems won’t go to the doctors, but health visitors can notice these problems and act.
"The social services approach to safeguarding just doesn’t work. It needs to be much more health focused."
