Study launched to improve services for abused children

Home > News and Events > News - release archive > 2008 > January

Renfrewshire Council is launching a new £13,000 study to find out how to improve services designed to protect children from physical, mental and sexual abuse.

The two-stage study will focus on children and young people who have personal experience of the child protection system.

The study will ask over 30 children and young people:

• What are the system's strengths and weaknesses?
• What is the best way to get young people involved?
• How do children and young people understand and make sense of the child protection process?

Dr Richard Woolfson, principal psychologist with Renfrewshire Council's educational psychology unit, said: "One of the goals of the Renfrewshire Child Protection Committee (RCPC) is to get children and young people involved in designing and delivering the services intended to help them."

"The results of the study will be used to draw up guidance for the agencies involved in protecting children and young people. This guidance will help agencies decide how they can best support the children and young people in the system and ensure a good outcome for them."

"An important part of the study's approach will be to tackle the subject sensitively, using appropriate interview techniques. All interviews will be voluntary and will remain anonymous. The research will also follow the British Psychological Society's code of conduct."

The study will involve 12 children aged between six and 13 years old, six young people aged from 14 to 16 years old and six young people aged 17 plus.

The RCPC brings together all the organisations involved in protecting children in the area. It includes representatives from Barnado's, the Children’s Panel, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, the Procurator Fiscal's Office, the Renfrewshire Community Health Partnership, Renfrewshire Council, Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration and Strathclyde Police.

The RCPC's job is to make sure that public services work together to protect children from harm and to give them the best possible chance in life.

The results of the study will be published electronically and in hard copy. A conference will also be held with key child protection professionals to discuss the study's findings.

Press release: Friday 25 January 2008