4 Jul 2014
Conference examines the issues surrounding the welfare of children
Professionals in the field of child welfare are at Loughborough University today (Friday 4 July) for an important conference that will examine current research taking place across Europe in this challenging arena of work.
The conference has been organised by the University’s Centre for Child and Family Research (CCFR) who have been carrying out high quality, policy relevant research nationally and internationally related to vulnerable children and their families since 2001.
Keynote speakers at the conference include Professor Erik Knorth from the University of Groningen (Netherlands), Professor Jane Barlow from Warwick University, Robert Tapsfield from The Fostering Network, Tom Rahilly of the NSPCC and CCFR’s Harriet Ward. Presentations will cover issues such as:
- Pre-birth assessment
- Parental capacity to overcome abusive and neglectful behaviour patterns
- Long term outcomes for abused and neglected children
- Safeguarding children through placements away from home
- Pedagogy in foster care
- The personal and financial cost of abuse and neglect.
Professionals attending the conference include social workers, health experts, those in the family justice system, professionals in adult services working with parents, managers of children’s services and policy makers.
Professor Harriet Ward, comments: “The theme for our conference is that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We want to share important findings from research in this area with those involved in protecting children. Providing expert information and support will help them tackle the difficult challenges they face on a day to day basis.”