A study by the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) concluded that the lack of evidence underpinning some practices and approaches that are widely used in the child protection system means it is "difficult to be sure protection services are producing good results or providing value for money".
A particular concern is a dearth of evidence relating to approaches where professionals from a range of organisations work together to protect children. This includes "a lack of robust evaluation" of the impact of multi-agency safeguarding hubs (Mash), where professionals link up to deal with concerns of children at risk of harm.
Researchers also found there was a lack of evidence that Signs of Safety, which aims to improve the relationships between child protection workers and vulnerable families, is effectively reducing the maltreatment of children.
Signs of Safety was developed in Australia in the 1990s and is being implemented in the UK by Professor Eileen Munro.
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