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This list shows a selection of books and other resources which provide an introduction to the subject of child protection and child abuse held by the NSPCC Library and Information Service (March 2004)
See also Child protection II: a reading list for non-social work professionals
Understanding the links: child abuse, animal abuse and domestic violence: information for professionals
NSPCC
London: NSPCC, 2005
A leaflet aimed at professionals working with children, families or animals, which aims to draw attention to the links between child abuse, animal abuse and domestic violence. Available from NSPCC Publications
Child abuse.
Lyon, Christina et al
Bristol: Family Law, 2003
ISBN: 0853085765
Provides a comprehensive explanation of the legal framework surrounding child abuse, aimed at child protection professionals and agencies.
Child pornography: an internet crime.
Taylor, Max and Quayle, Ethel
Hove, East Sussex: Brunner-Routledge, 2003
ISBN: 1583912444
Considers the reality behind the media coverage of child pornography on the internet.
Child maltreatment in the family: the experience of a national sample of young people
Cawson, Pat
London: NSPCC, 2002
ISBN: 1842280139
Second report of findings from a national study exploring young people's experience of childhood maltreatment within the family. Looks at family structure and social context, family relationships and family functioning, multi-type maltreatment by parents, and the consequences of maltreatment. Available from NSPCC Publications
What really happened?: child protection case management of infants with serious injuries and discrepant parental explanations
Dale, Peter, Green, Richard and Fellows, Ron
NSPCC
London: NSPCC, 2002
ISBN: 1842280287
Presents research into cases where infants have sustained unexplained serious and fatal injuries.Available from NSPCC Publications
In at the deep end.
Myers, Jenny and Barrett, Barbara
NSPCC, Child Protection in Sport Unit, Amateur Swimming Association
Leicester: NSPCC, 2002
ISBN: 1842280279
Reports on the lessons learnt by the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) from recent cases of abuse of children and young people involved in swimming. Available from NSPCC Publications
Learning from past experience: a review of serious case reviews (PDF)
Sinclair, Ruth and Bullock, Roger
London: Department of Health (DoH), 2002
Presents the findings from a research study looking at the findings from a sample of case reviews.
Child maltreatment in the United Kingdom: a study of the prevalence of child abuse and neglect
Cawson, Pat et al
London: NSPCC, 2000
ISBN: 1842280066
Report of findings from a national study exploring young people's experience of childhood maltreatment by parents and carers, other relatives, adults in their neighbourhood, professionals in positions of responsibility towards them, and their peers. Available from NSPCC Publications
Child abuse: towards a knowledge base.
Corby, Brian
Buckingham: Open University, 2000
ISBN: 0335205674
Aims to provide a broad knowledge base for practitioners and students who are working or intending to work in the child protection field.
Katie.com.
Tarbox, Katherine
London: Orion, 2000
ISBN: 0752841343
The true story of 13-year old Katie who meets a 23-year old man, Mark, via a chat room on the Internet who turns out to be a 41-year old paedophile called Frank who persuades Katie to meet him in person.
The Victoria Climbie inquiry: report of an inquiry by Lord Laming. Cm 5730 (new window)
Laming, Lord
Norwich: The Stationery Office (TSO), 2003
ISBN: 0101573022
Report of the inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbie, presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Health and the Secretary of State for the Home Department, January 2003.
The conduct of investigations into past cases of abuse in children's homes: the Government's reply to the fourth report from the Home Affairs Committee Session 2001-2002 (new window)
Secretary of State for the Home Department
London: The Stationery Office (TSO) 2003
ISBN: 0101579926
The government's detailed response to the Home Affairs Committee report into the conduct of investigations into past cases of abuse in children's homes.
The conduct of investigations into past cases of child abuse in children's homes. 4th report of session 2001-2002 (new window)
House of Commons. Home Affairs Committee
London: The Stationery Office (TSO), 2002
ISBN: 0215005937
Findings of an inquiry into possible miscarriages of justice arising from the conduct of investigations into alleged abuse in children's homes.
The conduct of investigations into past cases of child abuse in childrens' homes. 4th report of sessions 2001-2002. Volume 2: Memoranda (new window)
House of Commons. Home Affairs Committee
London: The Stationery Office (TSO), 2002
ISBN: 0215005929
The Memoranda ordered by the House of Commons to accompany volume 1.
Learning the lessons: the Government's response to 'Lost in care'. The report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into the abuse of children in care in the former county council areas of Gwynedd and Clwyd since 1974 (PDF).
Department of Health (DoH)
London: The Stationery Office (TSO), 2000
ISBN: 0101477627
Cm 4776 presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Health in June 2000.
Lost in care: report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into the abuse of children in care in the former county council areas of Gwynedd and Clwyd since 1974 (new window)
Waterhouse, Ronald
London: The Stationery Office (TSO), 2000
ISBN: 0105566608
Report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into child abuse in North Wales chaired by Sir Ronald Waterhouse.
Childhood Matters: report of the National Commission of Inquiry into the Prevention of Child Abuse. Volumes 1 & 2.
National Commission of Inquiry into the Prevention of Child Abuse
London: The Stationery Office (TSO), 1996
Statistics of Education: Referrals, Assessments and Children and Young People on Child Protection Registers: year ending 31 March 2005 (PDF)
Department for Education and Skills (DfES), National Statistics
London: Department for Education and Skills (DfES), 2006
ISBN: 0112711855
Covers England only. Includes a summary of the main findings, tables for England and local authority summary tables.
Working together to safeguard children: a guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children (PDF)
Department for Education and Skills (DfES)
London: Department for Education and Skills (DfES), 2006
Sets out how organisations and individuals should work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Part one covers statutory guidance and part two covers non-statutory guidance.
Keep your child safe on the internet (PDF)
Home Office
London: Home Office, 2004
Leaflet designed to help parents and carers find out what they need to know to keep children safe on the internet.
Child care law: a summary of the law in England and Wales.
Cullen, Deborah and Lane, Mary
London: BAAF, 2003
ISBN: 1903699355
Quick reference guide to the law in England and Wales relating to the care of children.
The child protection system: a guide to the law.
Daly, Christine and Hamilton, Carolyn
Children's Legal Centre
Colchester, Essex: Children's Legal Centre, 2003
Booklet dealing with the identification and investigation of abuse and the provision of protection, concentrating on the child protection mechanisms operated by social services.
The Children Act Report 2002 (PDF)
Department for Education and Skills
[London]: Department for Education and Skills (DfES), 2003
ISBN: 1844780384
A report on the Children Act 1989 which pulls together the latest information from statistical returns, inspections and research into a single concise document.
A better future: 50 years of child care in Northern Ireland 1950-2000.
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Belfast: Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, 2003
ISBN: 0946932077
Considers key developments in child care on Northern Ireland between 1950 and 2000. Includes chapters on foster care, adoption, residential care, young offenders, children with disabilities, child protection and social work education and training.
Co-operating to safeguard children (new window)
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Belfast: Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, 2003
ISBN: 0946932093
Guidance outlining the roles and responsibilities of all agencies in Northern Ireland (health, education, youth, prison, social, police and probation services) disciplines and bodies involved in child protection work.
What to do if you're worried a child is being abused
Department of Health (DoH) et al
London: Department of Health (DoH), 2003
Practice guidance developed to assist practitioners whose work brings them into contact with children.
Child protection.
Smith, Fergus and Lyon, Tina
South Croydon, Surrey: Children Act Enterprises, 2003
ISBN: 1899986413
Guide aimed at those who provide, or support providers of, child protection services in England and Wales. Provides a summary of law and government guidance on child protection.
Sportscheck: a step by step guide for sports organisations to safeguard children.
Boocock, Steve
NSPCC. Child Protection in Sport Unit
Leicester: NSPCC. Child Protection in Sport Unit, 2002
ISBN: 1842280171
Step by step guide to implementing a child protection policy, procedure and code of practice aimed at sports organisations of any size that provide activities for children or young people under the age of 18 years. Available from NSPCC Publications
The well-being of children in the UK.
Bradshaw, Jonathan
London: Save the Children, 2002
ISBN: 1841870609
A comprehensive report on the physical, cognitive, behavioural and emotional well-being of children in the UK, compiled by academics from the University of York. Includes key statistics, trends and references.
Safeguarding children in whom illness if fabricated or induced (PDF)
Department of Health (DoH) et al
London: Department of Health (DoH), 2002
Supplementary guidance to 'Working together to safeguard children' dealing specifically with FII (Fabricated or Induced Illness).
Working with young people: legal responsibility and liability. 5th ed.
Hamilton, Carolyn
Children's Legal Centre, 2002
Targeted at those who work directly with young people, whether in youth work, counselling, education or social services, this book aims to deal with some of the legal problems which arise in youth work.
Firstcheck: a step by step guide for organisations to safeguard children
NSPCC Consultancy Services
Leicester: NSPCC. Consultancy Services, 2002
ISBN: 1842280163
Aims to help non statutory organisations fulfil their duty of care and to introduce safeguards to: minimise the risks of harm to children and young people, and, to create safe environments where children can enjoy rewarding and enjoyable experiences.Available from NSPCC Publications
Safeguarding children: a joint Chief Inspectors' report on arrangements to safeguard children (PDF)
Social Services Inspectorate et al
London: Department of Health (DoH), 2002
First report by the joint Chief Inspectors on arrangements to safeguard children.
The Children Act now: messages from research.
Aldgate, Jane and Statham, June
London: Department of Health (DoH), 2001
ISBN: 0113222637
Presents the findings of 24 studies looking at the implementation of the Children Act 1989 with an overview for each study, drawing out the messages for policy and practice.
Our children, their future: a manifesto for children in Northern Ireland.
Barnardo's. Northern Ireland, Child Poverty Action Group, NSPCC
Belfast: Barnardo's. Northern Ireland, 2001
A manifesto presented by several child welfare organisations calling for improved services for children and young people in Northern Ireland.
Our children, their future: a manifesto.
Barnardo's, NSPCC, Child Poverty Action Group, 2000
A manifesto presented by several child welfare organisations calling for improved services for children and young people.
Framework for the assessment of children in need and their families pack.
Department of Health (DoH), Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) and Home Office
London: The Stationery Office (TSO), 2000
ISBN: 0113224257
Pack containing Framework for the assessment of children in need & their families; Assessing children in need & their families: practice guidance; The family assessment pack of questionnaires & scales; and Assessment recording forms.
The Protection of Children Act 1999: a practical guide to the Act for all organisations working with children (PDF)
Department of Health (DoH), NHS Executive
London: Department of Health (DoH), 2000
Safeguarding children involved in prostitution: supplementary guidance to working together to safeguard children.
Department of Health (DoH) et al
London: Department of Health (DoH), 2000
Guidance for police, health, social services, education and other agencies / professionals working with children who may be involved in prostitution.
What works in child protection?
Macdonald, Geraldine and Winkley, Alice
Ilford, Essex: Barnardo's, 1999
ISBN: 0902046594
Review of research into child protection aiming to identify and interpret trends, and to outline the implications for practice. Looks at effectiveness in child protection, challenges to effectiveness research, factors associated with abuse and neglect, what works in primary prevention, what works in secondary prevention, and what works in tertiary prevention.
Child protection awareness programme: [fully managed materials pack].
NSPCC, EduCare
Leamington Spa, Warwickshire: NSPCC: EduCare, 1999
A fully managed learning programme designed for anyone who comes into contact with children through their work or leisure activities. Read more about NSPCC EduCare child protection awareness programmes
Protection of Children Act 1999: chapter 14 (new window)
London: The Stationery Office (TSO), 1999
ISBN: 0105414999
An Act to require a list to be kept of persons considered unsuitable to work with children.
Child protection: messages from research.
Department of Health (DoH), Dartington Social Research Unit
London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO), 1995
ISBN: 0113217811
Children Act 1989: chapter 41 (new window)
London: HMSO, 1989
ISBN: 0105441899
Items included in this reading list do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSPCC. Anyone wishing to obtain any of the items on the list should contact their own public or academic library or bookshop. For information about publications produced by the NSPCC, please contact NSPCC Publications
Although the websites listed here are checked regularly, the constantly changing nature of the internet means that some sites may alter after we have viewed them. The NSPCC is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, the content of these external websites. Please email library@nspcc.org.uk to report any broken links.
Copyright © 2006 NSPCC - All rights reserved. National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Weston House, 42
Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH. Incorporated by Royal Charter. Registered charity number 216401. NSPCC, charity registered in Scotland, charity number SC037717.