ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book outlines the nature of contemporary children’s care sector in England, highlighting both the demographics of those currently in care and the nature of available provision. It provides an account of the issues facing children and young people in care in terms of their vulnerability to criminalisation and exploitation. The book then considers the longstanding drive towards multi-agency work to promote positive safeguarding outcomes for children and young people, as well as the challenges inherent in such endeavours. It also explores the criminalisation of children in care. The book examines the challenges posed by the exploitation of care-experienced children and young people. It then explores perspectives of the challenges and benefits of multi-agency working in Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hubs team context and considers whether the participants in this particular study could be said to be working in emergent or actual ‘communities of practice’.
