Abstract
This Executive Summary and Research Brief provide an overview of a research project (full report available on the repository) exploring the key role identified for GPs in safeguarding children. The initial focus of this research was to investigate potential 'conflicts of interest‘ where parents and children were both patients of the GP and to identify strategies for managing these conflicts. In response to initial feedback from the piloting of research tools, the focus of the research was broadened to explore and understand the range of conflicts, interests and tensions that might constrain the participation and engagement of GPs in safeguarding children and child protection processes, and the complexity of relationships between GPs, parents and children, and other professionals. A summary of the study methods, strengths and limitations and key findings is provided, together with messages for policy, research and practice.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Place of Publication | London, U.K. |
| Publisher | Department for Children, Schools and Families |
| Number of pages | 21 |
| Publication status | Submitted - Apr 2009 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Impact: This Executive Summary and related Research Brief present summaries of a research project which sought to explore the nature and consequences of tensions and conflicts of interest for GPs in safeguarding children and how these are seen, and responded to, from a range of professional, parent and child perspectives and managed in order to promote best practice.It was one of 9 studies commissioned under the Safeguarding Children initiative in 2005.
The Safeguarding Children Research Initiative is a programme of research studies on child abuse and neglect jointly funded by the Department of Health and the Department for Education. The 9 studies were commissioned as part of the government response to the inquiry following the death of Victoria Climbié. The purpose is to provide a stronger evidence base for the development of policy and practice to improve the protection of children in England.
Following the completion of the research programme, a publication was produced to bring together the key messages and implications for all professionals and policy makers involved in the safeguarding process. "Safeguarding Children Across Services: Messages from Research on Identifying and Responding to Child Maltreatment"(eds Ward H and Davies C) (2011 forthcoming) provides accessible and evidence-based research findings in a distilled form for a range of professionals, in order to help inform and shape their day-to-day work. (policy statement from DfE website)
Keywords
- GPs
- Social work and social policy and administration
- children
- conflicts of interest
- interprofessional working
- safeguarding