Child Protection Assessment Following Serious Injuries to Infants

Dr. Peter Dale trained originally as a psychiatric social worker, and subsequently as a counsellor / Psychotherapist. His PhD research was a qualitative study focused on the perceptions of clients and therapists of the therapeutic process for adults who were abused as children (Dale 1999). Peter Dale worked in child and family psychiatric services before joining the NSPCC in 1980, where he was a practitioner, manager and Senior research Officer until 2002. An established researcher and author, Dr Dale now acts as an independent social work expert witness throughout the UK in care proceedings - specialising in cases where there are serous suspicious injuries to infants. For further information, visit: www.peterdale.co.uk Richard Green trained as a social worker and family therapist. He has held a number of posts in both local authorities and the NSPCC, including practitioner, manager and evaluation officer. he is currently employed as Senior Consultant with in the NSPCC, working with a range of statutory and voluntary agencies to improve the safeguarding of children.Contact details: rgreen@nspcc.org.ukRon Fellow trained originally as a social worker, and subsequently as a family/brief therapist. he worked in mental health and children and family services for various London boroughs. Since joining the NSPCC, he has held posts as a practitioner and manager.Contact details: rfellows@nspcc.org.uk

• About the Authors. Foreword.Acknowledgements.1. Introduction.2. Child Abuse and Child Protection Errors.3. Child Abuse Research.4. Child Protection Research.5. The NSPCC Serious Injury–Discrepant Explanation Research.6. Parental Perceptions of Child Protection Interventions.7. Explanations for Injuries and the Thorny Issue of ‘Denial’.8. Child Protection Assessment Contexts.9. Potential for Change.10. Fine Judgments.References.Index.