Over the past decade, the area of child protection and welfare has expanded at an unprecedented rate in Ireland, against a backdrop of legislative and policy developments, child abuse inquiries and a realization that early intervention is the key to effective work with vulnerable children and families. This book gives an overview of innovative practices that have been demonstrated in different health boards and child welfare and protection services. The range of subjects covered include:
- Family support.
- Identification of children at risk.
- Agency responses to reported child abuse.
- Inter-agency and inter-professional work.
- Domestic violence.
- Children in out-of-home care.
- Supervision in child protection work.
While the research overview cautions against complacency, it positively affirms progress that has been made in the child protection and welfare field in Ireland and offers useful ideas to practitioners and policy makers.