Protecting Children and Young People: Child Protection Reform Across the UK
Terry Bamford
Monday, February 7, 2011
Edited by Anne Stafford, Sharon Vincent and Nigel Parton; Dunedin Academic Press; ISBN 9781903765975; 14.95; 96pp
In each of the countries there have been major changes in legislation and organisational structures. But despite the differences between the four UK countries, they all retain a forensic investigative model of child protection.
The book was written before the general election, therefore any conclusions are tentative. But the different political complexion of the UK government from the three devolved administrations is likely to increase differences.
Size does matter. The combination of a smaller number of local authorities and a sense of national identity means that the devolved countries "feel more networked". By contrast, there is limited inter-authority learning in England.
Diversity in approach should be welcomed. We could evaluate which model achieves the best outcomes for children. Despite the rhetoric of evidence-based decision making, are we really ready to do that? Or will we resort to the default position: "But it's different there."
Terry Bamford, chairman, Westminster Safeguarding Children Board
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