ABSTRACT
THIS IS NOT a chapter that is solely dedicated to child abuse or protection. Rather it is an attempt to put this whole issue of safeguarding children under debate and to gain a new perspective. It is a complex area of study, involving all the major services, each with its own legislation, guidance and reports, together with impact evaluations of voluntary, local authority and national expectations and extensive media attention. Child welfare also has a long (and not always distinguished) history.
