New Horizons for the Journal: Familiar Landscapes in Child Protection

This issue opens with a farewell from us as we step down our roles Co-Editors of Child Abuse Review. We have both thoroughly enjoyed being co-editors the journal – Jane since 2007 and Peter 2011. has been significant time for journal, during which seen Review receive increase its impact factor, transition to ScholarOne Manuscripts, undergo brand style change, move more open-access publishing online access, steadily downloads citations papers. It exciting be part great team that steered through all this, an expanding national international associate editors, introduction continuing professional development section recent appointment social media editor. In immensely grateful Editorial Manager Diane Heath (and Julia Walsh before her) their incredible support hard work, whole at Wiley Association Protection Professionals. The door now new are delighted welcome hand over Co-Editors: Professor Kish Bhatti-Sinclair, Head Social Work Care University Chichester, Dr Lisa Bunting, Senior Lecturer in Queen's Belfast. wish them well next chapter look forward seeing how develops capable hands. ‘This Review’ As ahead, aware some particularly opportunities editorial team, they strive practitioners researchers ever-changing but somehow familiar landscape child protection. Our final 2021 will special on use assessment tools protection, while 2022 focus protection perinatal period really important practical issues. For present, there ongoing challenges professionals seek children families within context COVID-19 pandemic gradual easing restrictions globally. At same time, issues such abusive head trauma (AHT) sexual abuse exploitation continue present dilemmas agencies. need child- family-focused interventions presents challenges. These addressed reviews research papers this current journal. first paper is structured review literature prevention AHT by Debangshu Roygardner colleagues (2021). remains one most challenging continues common forms maltreatment fatality. causes disability many children, stress around diagnosis appropriate management (Otterman Palusci, 2020). Over past two decades, much achieved understanding complexities presentation management, developing programmes prevention. Unfortunately, et al. (2021) point out, spite developments science, ‘only small amount date performed sophisticated designs, even less addresses specifically’ (p. 386). ‘AHT protection’ ‘(i) strategies teach parents respond newborn crying dangers shaking babies; (ii) community public health factors; (iii) education practice.’ 385) commonest evaluated parent programmes, accounting 30 53 included review. commonly studied was Period Purple Crying (PPC) programme (Barr al., 2009a, 2009b; Groisberg results PPC other were mixed, evidence effectiveness, improving parental behaviours, only limited not replicated studies actually reduce incidence AHT. working it recognise effectiveness effective. Definitive well-designed randomised controlled trials difficult achieve low-incidence conditions UK lot interest ICON (Infant normal; Comforting methods can help; It's OK walk away; Never, ever shake baby) (https://iconcope.org/). While any published programme, along may carry benefits beyond primary outcome preventing content different how, when where delivered received parents, range contextual factors also influence extent carers able act advice given. There robust quantitative qualitative these programmes. ‘Limited effective’ similar vein, community-wide awareness had mixed none category measured incidence. One interesting finding though reported examined effect providing financial (Klevens 2016, 2017). showed reduction state level following paid family leave earned income tax credit, respectively. Addressing immediate socio-economic stressors facing reducing than or education. group comprised targeted professionals. demonstrated improvements professionals' Whether leads turn reductions unclear. authors conclude further needed three areas prevention, study designs. That, however, should stop using knowledge develop offer families, communities second systematic narrative practice (FFP) who mental problems Susan Lagdon Northern Ireland. FFP approach intervention centres effective those difficulties. set out ‘develop definition (FFP)’ (Lagdon 2021, p. 400) previous identified lack agreed term. work sought ‘identify types outcomes service user experiences; explore fit previously established components FFP’ 400). Following comprehensive search 16 databases grey identify between 1998 40 appraised criteria adapted Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (2019). ‘FFP … difficulties’ incorporated focused four six whose suffered substance misuse, young people parent/s illness. core analysed presented structure developed Marston (2016) including: ‘psychoeducation; direct treatment and/or problematic use; parenting behaviour; risk resilience; communication; functioning’ 401). additional component about efforts enhance access engagement services networks community. terms measures, symptoms deficits, measures functioning, misuse. concluded ‘there greater identifying what measuring consistent way would facilitate comparison across interventions, open possibility explicit supported discussions needs responsibilities’ 414). Interestingly, economic evaluation lacked links relevant/appropriate theory base. address exploitation. First, Kira Nyhus-Runtz report survey healthcare providers Canadian province Saskatchewan. prompted recognition that, victims healthcare, barriers responding appropriately. From analysis 125 completed surveys physicians, nurses psychologists, found potential presenting complaints generally strong, ‘lacked confidence managing sexually exploited children’ (Nyhus-Runtz 427). Probing bit deeper, appear general factors, signs good, specific including grooming good. Furthermore, legally mandated responsibility suspected cases, correct reporting authority. province. ‘While appropriately’ Tara O'Neill explores mediating role dissociation relationship psychotic symptoms. total, 269 female survivors UK, USA Australia exploring age experiencing (237 childhood 32 adult life) experiences dissociative psychotic-like episodes. Both groups experienced high proportion symptoms, scoring higher adulthood Mediation depersonalisation (e.g. looking mirror recognising yourself), play ‘a symptomatology among trauma’ (O'Neill 439). better trauma, help trauma. However, challenging, least because adaptive responses experienced. Translating into helpful clinical challenge. practices. Victoria Sharley Bristol reports case file school staff's involvement cases concerns neglect. School staff recognised having very intervening early neglect schools key safeguarding system. ‘the combined group’ (Sharley, 445) order provide ‘group's statutory provision living neglect’ 446). involved 119 children's files local authorities Wales, sampling met: referred services; age; register under initial conference (ICPC)’ ‘School 50 (42%) sample provided whom concerned Although ‘variation emerged members authorities’ 452), physical physical, emotional abuse) categories sample. If (CPC) convened, member attended 89 per cent ICPC virtually (97%). attendance dropped ten months later, three-quarters took actions child's plan ICPC. apparent findings workers regularly draw information gathered ‘to inform assessments’ 455). discussion, acknowledges encountered data collection analysis, example, ‘large amounts missing created statistical measurement’ omission records study, alongside ‘complexity processes’ differences regional contexts 444). Helen Richardson Foster Central Lancashire Sheffield examine child-focused CPCs. rationale despite participation multiagency meetings, little consider individual meetings. drew audio recordings documentary 14 CPCs (3 11 conferences), interviews 26 (including chairs, managers meeting minute takers) 35 Data four-part conceptualisation specifically included: ‘assessment informed daily lived experience’; experience abuse/neglect aspects parenting; whether enabled voices heard views taken seriously; ‘whether used rooted based detailed circumstances preceding elements’ (Richardson 462). ‘Children's health, relationships always discussed, often factual without consideration difficulties deficiencies impacting welfare. Thus, comparatively large up discussing issues.’ 464) ‘Pre-[child protection] contained detail experience’ did experience, babies situations prior studies, people's [in study] low ‘child-focused decision-making planning rarely achieved’ 458), so ‘unclear required change’ 469) described (Appleton 2015; NSPCC SCIE, 2016). emphasised chairs summarising keeping welfare child. paper, short Sedigheh Khanjari (2021), educational Iranian nurses. Participants paediatric emergency care wards private hospitals throughout Tehran, in-service abuse. collected pre-intervention weeks training Report Intention Scale (Feng Levine, 2005). quasi-experimental levels (intervention control) control post programme. concludes potentially nurses' abuse, attitudes towards child-rearing discipline, perceived behavioural intention ‘Educational abuse… report’ personal series reflecting Sidebotham, 2020; Donagh, Jacob, Øverlien, Roberts, Germany, Tobias Heimann consultations Medical Hotline, nationwide hotline medical substantiated 486). 15 March 20 May 2020, 116 consultations, related effects lockdown. here include seven-year-old boy disclosed punishment home schooling increased stresses pandemic; 16-year-old girl allegations escalating lockdown; mother infant breathing refusing fears COVID-19. highlight illustrating lockdown concerns. They lead exacerbation violence emphasise easily accessible December last year, Safeguarding Practice Panel England supporting vulnerable (Child Panel, ‘COVID-19 situational exacerbate pre-existing risks, bring ones’ 1). particular, stressors, changing dynamics, disrupted routines, overcrowding contact extended members, could increases domestic harm children. impacts wellbeing closures usual structures. addition faced pressures COVID-safe arrangements. governments world gradually release stringent return activities, must keep alert reflect responded learn lessons future. ‘We families’ end update book Hannah Gaffney Anti-Bullying Alliance's free Developing Effective Practice. learning geared bullying, needs. particular strengths distinction relational conflict bullying behaviour, acknowledgement bullying. clear evidence-based, provides ‘an excellent resource anyone disabilities’ (Gaffney, 494). David Clarke, lecturer Glasgow Caledonian University, Deborah Fry colleagues' 2017 Disability: Practical Challenges Research. Clarke's positive draws upon global prevalence disabilities. Clarke emphasises undertaking disabilities, rather He highlights helpfully notes offers useful guidance ethical issues, consent, drawing real-life examples methodological With breadth issue, hope you find something engage inspire, challenge your practice. outgoing extremely you, readers, authors, peer reviewers team. impressed amazing going every day world, privilege see reflected pages committed hands! ‘As readers… team’