ABSTRACT
Child maltreatment is a large-scale issue with major short- and long-term health consequences for childhood and adult life. The incidence of abuse and neglect is profoundly unequal and closely related to the social determinants of health. Families’ economic, environmental and social circumstances are reflected in a steep social gradient. There are also strong but complex patterns in the proportions of children from different ethnic groups on child protection plans.
This chapter explores further:
The key terms and definitions needed to understand the differences of the problem, leading on to the scale and breadth.
Policy contexts and developments, including the implication on services aimed at prevention and family support. This has contributed to growing proportions of children being subject to child protection investigations and/or being removed from their families into care.
New population-based and poverty-aware approaches which are pointing the way to new social models of practice which are humane, strategic, relevant to family circumstances and aim to reduce inequalities between children.
