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The Typology and Topography of Child Abuse and Neglect: The Experience of a Tertiary Children’s Centre

Author

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  • Geoff Debelle

    (Birmingham & Solihull NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, Birmingham B4 6AR, UK)

  • Nikolaos Efstathiou

    (School of Nursing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

  • Rafiyah Khan

    (School of Nursing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

  • Annette Williamson

    (Birmingham Women and Children’s Hospital Foundation NHS Trust, Birmingham B15 2TG, UK)

  • Manjit Summan

    (Birmingham Women and Children’s Hospital Foundation NHS Trust, Birmingham B15 2TG, UK)

  • Julie Taylor

    (School of Nursing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
    Birmingham Women and Children’s Hospital Foundation NHS Trust, Birmingham B15 2TG, UK)

Abstract

Effective child protection systems and processes require reliable and accurate data. The aim of this study was to determine what data could be extracted from hospital records in a single site that reflected a child’s journey from admission with suspected abuse to the decisions regarding substantiation made by the multidisciplinary child protection team. A retrospective study of the case records of 452 children referred to a major UK children’s tertiary centre for suspected child maltreatment was undertaken. Child maltreatment was substantiated in 65% of referred cases, with the majority of referrals coming from children living in the most deprived neighbourhoods in the country. Domestic violence and abuse and the child’s previous involvement with statutory bodies were associated with case substantiation. Physical abuse predominated, with soft tissue injuries, including dog bites and burns, most frequent. Burns were related almost exclusively to supervisory neglect. There were also cases of medical neglect. Emotional abuse was associated with exposure to domestic violence and abuse and to self-harm. The strengths and limitations for single-centre data systems were explored, concluding with a recommendation to establish an agreed national and international minimum data set to protect children from maltreatment.

Suggested Citation

  • Geoff Debelle & Nikolaos Efstathiou & Rafiyah Khan & Annette Williamson & Manjit Summan & Julie Taylor, 2022. "The Typology and Topography of Child Abuse and Neglect: The Experience of a Tertiary Children’s Centre," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-17, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:13:p:8213-:d:855973
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dettlaff, Alan J. & Rivaux, Stephanie L. & Baumann, Donald J. & Fluke, John D. & Rycraft, Joan R. & James, Joyce, 2011. "Disentangling substantiation: The influence of race, income, and risk on the substantiation decision in child welfare," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(9), pages 1630-1637, September.
    2. Bae, Hwa-ok & Solomon, Phyllis L. & Gelles, Richard J., 2009. "Multiple child maltreatment recurrence relative to single recurrence and no recurrence," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(6), pages 617-624, June.
    3. Stoddart, J.K. & Fallon, B. & Trocmé, N. & Fluke, J., 2018. "Substantiated Child Maltreatment: Which factors do workers focus on when making this critical decision?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 1-8.
    4. Cheng, Tyrone C. & Lo, Celia C., 2013. "Racial disparity in risk factors for substantiation of child maltreatment," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 1962-1969.
    5. Featherstone, Brid & Morris, Kate & Daniel, Brigid & Bywaters, Paul & Brady, Geraldine & Bunting, Lisa & Mason, Will & Mirza, Nughmana, 2019. "Poverty, inequality, child abuse and neglect: Changing the conversation across the UK in child protection?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 127-133.
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