Neglect and Serious Case Reviews

A research report conducted by the University of East Anglia on behalf of the NSPCC examines data on neglect from serious case reviews covering the period 2003-2011. Findings include

• Neglect is far more prevalent in serious case review than previously understood
• Neglect needs to be treated as urgently as other forms of maltreatment, due to the potentially life-threatening nature of neglect 
• Neglect with the most serious outcomes is a danger to children of all ages.

Brandon, M., Bailey, S.,Belderson, P. & Larsson, B. (2013) Neglect and serious case reviews: a report from the University of East Anglia commissioned by NSPCC 

Two new E-documents

Shaw, C. (2010). Research into private fostering. Department for Children Schools and Families. This research aimed to collect information into the practices and procedures of local authorities in relation to private fostering arrangements and to improve the understanding of the needs of privately fostered children, especially in regard to safeguarding issues.

Hart, D. (2010). Children and young people in breach: a scoping report on policy and practice in the enforcement of criminal justice and anti-social behaviour orders. NCB. This research is the first phase of a project undertaken by NCB to increase understanding of policy and practice in relation to breach proceedings, wih particular focus on young people who are incarcerated as a result of breach of bail conditions or ASBOs.

New publications form the Department for children, Schools and Families

Farmer, E. & Lutman, E. (2010). Case management and outcomes for neglected children returned to their parents: a five-year follow up study. Department for children, Scools and Families research Brief 214. Key findings of this study include that there is a tendency over a long period of time of intervention for abuse and neglect to be minimised in reporting leading to insufficient action to protect children; that outcomes were much better for younger children, for whom intervention tends to be more proactive, and that in two fifths of cases children were not adequately safeguarded, often because of over-optimistic views of the possibility of parental change.
Carpenter, J. et al (2010). Outcomes of inter-agency training to safeguard children: final report to the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department of Health. This study examines the evidence base for inter-agency training and. assesses the efficacy of training in safeguarding children.

Department for Children, Schools and Families (2010). Parenting and Family Support: guidance for local authorities in England. Non-statutory guidance for service commsioners, managers and decsion makers.
Langer, S. et al (2010). A report on themes emerging from qualitative research into the impact of short break provision on families with disabled children. DCSF research report conducted by the Centre for Disability research, Lancaster University.
Robertson, J. et al (2010). The impacts of short break provision on disabled children and families: an international literature review. DCFS Research report 222