Learning from Child Deaths and Serious Abuse

In the UK, significant abuse cases and the high profile deaths of children have been the impetus for the reform of child protection policies. While there is a wealth of information on child deaths and significant abuse cases in England and Wales, there is far less published information available in Scotland. Author Sharon Vincent addresses this gap. Drawing on findings from a review of high profile child death and abuse cases which resulted in inquiries or reviews in Scotland over the period 1975 to 2008, Dr. Vincent extracts key themes while reviewing and assessing the impact these cases have had on child protection policy and considers what can be learned from such cases. Child deaths and significant abuse cases in the home, as well as cases where children have been killed or abused outside the home, are considered. This volume provides an invaluable oversight to the origins of the UK's child protection policies. It is intended as a resource for those who are training to work with children, young people, and families, as well as academics and policy makers working in children's services.