ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book looks at issues and dilemmas for agencies when working with other agencies to provide an interagency service. It describes the managerial context of the different agencies, hopefully highlighting differences and similarities which when better understood should contribute to better communication between agencies. Child protection agencies were attempting to address organised abuse, ritual and satanic abuse, abuse of children by professionals having responsibility for their welfare and abuse by juveniles and siblings. Operating within government guidance, the Area Child Protection Committees are a vehicle by which central government child protection policy is translated firstly into local child protection policy and then into practice. The introduction of the Children Act represented a complete reform and rationalisation of the legal framework dealing with children and required fundamental shifts in attitudes towards work with children and families.
