Information sharing and reporting systems in the UK and Ireland: Professional barriers to reporting child maltreatment concerns

Abstract

Across the UK recent policy developments have focused on improved information sharing and inter-agency cooperation. Professional non-reporting of child maltreatment concerns has been consistently highlighted as a problem in a range of countries and the research literature indicates that this can happen for a variety of reasons. Characteristics such as the type of abuse and the threshold of evidence available are key factors, as are concerns that reporting will damage the professional-client relationship. Professional discipline can also impact on willingness to report, as can personal beliefs about abuse, attitudes towards child protection services and experiences of court processes.Research examining the role of organisational factors in information sharing and reporting emphasises the importance of training and there are some positive indications that training can increase professional awareness of reporting processes and requirements and help to increase knowledge of child abuse and its symptoms. Nonetheless, this is a complex issue and the need for training to go beyond simple awareness raising is recognised. In order to tackle non-reporting in a meaningful way, childcare professionals need access to on-going multidisciplinary training which is specifi cally tailored to address the range of different factors which impact on reporting attitudes and behaviours.

A conceptual review of interprofessional expertise in child safeguarding

“…The reasons for this have been extensively discussed (Bunting, Lazenbatt, & Wallace, 2010;Hawkins & McCallum, 2001;Polnay, 2000;Raman, Holdgate & Torrens, 2012). Services organised as separate professional bureaucracies inevitably create institutional and cultural barriers, which in child protection may be exacerbated by 4 institutional anxiety about risk.…”

Child Maltreatment: What Attitudinal Factors Drive Graduate Students in Speech-Language Pathology to Report?

“…As an extension or subtype of attitude one may also include the dimensions of commitment, confidence, and concern. The literature on demographic variables suggests possible relationships between ethnicity and gender on reporting practices As such, ethnicity and gender were included as covariates [23][24][25][26].…”

“…Secondary sources suggest reasons as to why speech-language pathologists may fail to report alleged maltreatment. Due to the recurring theme noted in the literature highlighting a lack of pedagogical training across disciplines regarding child maltreatment and reporting methodology, further research appears indicated [25,[31][32][33][34][35].…”

“…Specifically, the research suggests that cultural background (ethnicity) may influence an individual's perception of maltreatment or willingness/unwillingness to report it". With regard to gender, "females have been found to be less tolerant of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse than males" but "are no more likely to report abuse" than their male counterparts [25].…”

Communicating with children's social services and reporting systems

“…The article presents a review of 'Consent obtained prior to the infant's birth "must be both reaffi rmed and its validity established"' 'More skills to work with children and families and greater knowledge about how to work with child protective services' international literature which contributes to knowledge and understanding of mandatory reporting. In a helpful summary of the existing research evidence across a number of countries, Bunting et al (2010) highlight a number of reasons why practitioners from a range of different professional groups fail to report suspected child maltreatment including 'the threshold of evidence available ' (p. 198) and the fact that the type of abuse affects reporting decisions-with physical abuse most often reported and emotional abuse least likely to be reported. The authors also draw attention to the body of literature around professional discipline, attitudes and beliefs which have all been considered in relation to non-reporting of child maltreatment, including the often cited concern that information sharing and reporting of child abuse and neglect could impact negatively on positive professional relationships with families.…”