Effective Safeguarding for Children and Young People: What next after Munro?

This is a book of seven contributions with much variety, some variability but all with value. The strongest chapters are by Colin Green on Munro’s clarion call for early intervention and Michael Preston Shoot’s on local safeguarding children’s boards. Both are evidence-informed and written with insight and awareness.

But what are the big messages from this text? First, there is much that it is good within Munro but implementing the recommendations at a time of stringent and severe cuts is more than difficult.

Second, be measured and balanced as changes are made to reduce stifling proceduralisation and watch out that the swing of the pendulum does not knock away what should still be valued.

Third, although Munro focused largely on children’s social care and social work, those who see themselves primarily working with adults may often be on the frontline of child protection. And finally, oh dear, how disastrous that so much instability has been created in what were communities of schools and in local health services. Chaos and competition has never helped in protecting children in the past. It will be an even bigger hindrance in the future.

Reviewed by Ray Jones, professor of social work at Kingston University and St George’s, University of London and chair of two safeguarding children boards