Working with British Army Families: A Qualitative Study of Child Protection Practitioners' Views and Experiences

Abstract

Closed, often tight-knit army communities can potentially provide protective factors for children; however, this environment can make it difficult to seek help or to speak out when there are concerns about children's safety or wellbeing.• The needs and experiences of non-serving parents (often female partners) can be overlooked unless, or until, child protection concerns are serious. • Army-connected children benefit from accessing army and civilian health, education and welfare services; however, transitions and communication between these services need to be improved. KEY WORDS: child maltreatment; child protection; British Army; information sharing; multidisciplinary working 'Identifies areas of 'good' child protection practice between military and civilian services, and highlights areas that require development'

Vulnerable Children and Early Intervention – What about Health Visiting?

“…In the second short report in this issue, Julie Taylor and colleagues from the University of Birmingham and the NSPCC (Taylor et al, 2021) report on a qualitative study of child protection practitioners' perspectives and experiences of working with British Army families. The aim was to develop an understanding of the needs of military children 'in the context of child welfare and protection concerns' (Taylor et al, 2021, p. 168).…”