ABSTRACT
The ‘Chaotic System’ provides a framework to understand why there does not appear to have been a holistic approach to the early intervention and safeguarding agenda. Rather policy has been impacted upon by ideology alongside one of events, such as a child death. This research provides very significant evidence that those with EYPS are not just early educationalists preparing children for school. Those with EYPS are inter-disciplinary graduate professionals with knowledge range and skill pertinent to the safeguarding agenda. They have the confidence in their safeguarding practice in and working with parents and other professionals that supports them to work within the ‘Chaos System’ and make a real impact on practice and outcomes. They have become leaders of practice and ‘change agents’. The next step is for others to realise that the there is a new partner in the working together agenda who has knowledge and skills not held by others. They are professionals who have the potential to really impact on prevention, early identification and intervention in the maltreatment of the youngest children, not just in families but in early years settings as well.
I am grateful to Professor Denise Hevey and Dr. Celia Doyle for their support this paper has been in preparation.
