Working together to protect children on the child protection register: Myth or reality

Child protection guidance at a national level has predominantly focused on the investigation and assessment of child abuse and neglect. Post-registrat ion practice has received little attention, resulting in a variety of local responses. This paper describes the findings from a national study designe d to identify the impact of the lack of national guidance on local post-reg istration frameworks for practice. Data collected indicate that very few Ar ea Child Protection Committees (ACPCs) have developed policies, procedures or practice guidance which would provide a structure for post-registration practice. This position is aggravated further as individual professionals a re confused about their own roles and responsibilities and those of colleag ues. We consider the impact of these findings on practice and conclude by s uggesting a macro level framework that can be utilized by ACPCs who wish to develop practice in this area.