ABSTRACT
During the last twenty-five years, child abuse has been seen as a significant and growing social problem and has been the subject of considerable media and political interest and argument. While it is generally agreed that it is a problem which we should do something about, there has been intense argument about what we should do and how we should do it. A central issue is the mandate, accountability and priorities of the various health, welfare and legal agencies and their interrelationships. In this respect an analysis of these developments and debates provides a key insight into the changing role of the state during this period and, in particular, into the changing relationship(s) between the family and various state agents, and the shifting political auspices under which they operate. While I will argue that it is quite inadequate to explain these changes simply in terms of the impact of Thatcherism or the New Right, the changing political contexts are crucial in understanding the contemporary nature and tensions of the child protection system, and its impact(s) on the adults and children who are on the receiving end and the professionals, particularly social workers, who operate it.
