ABSTRACT
In England and Wales, Part III of the Children Act 1989 defines a duty of local authorities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in need and to promote the upbringing of such children by providing ‘an appropriate range and level of services’. This flexible definition certainly must encompass children and young people under 18 years of age who have lost one or, indirectly, both parents through family violence. Services should be available via police, social services and health care and should range from emergency protection to advice, guidance, counselling, debriefing and therapy. Children and their caregivers may need practical input such as day-care or home help. Others need accommodation (residential care planned in partnership with families), while a majority require legally secure state parenting. The reality is that local authorities and child health services lack resources for such a comprehensive range of services. There is a gap between the law, which ‘enables’ rather than ‘requires’ such provision, and what is available on the ground. Those who seek and those who attempt to provide services must act together to identify and cost unmet needs. Meanwhile, a number of charitable organisations provide invaluable help, undertake research and publish relevant information.
