A major new conference being organised by Loughborough University will examine the complex issues surrounding the welfare of children.

Professionals tasked with safeguarding and promoting the welfare of abused and neglected children face exceptionally complex and difficult challenges.  They have to judge whether a child is suffering, consider what action should be taken and when, and plan how resources best be deployed – a matter crucial in the current economic climate.

The conference is being held at Loughborough on Friday 4 July 2014 (rescheduled from March) and is being organised by the University’s Centre for Child and Family Research (CCFR).  It will provide an opportunity for those working in the arena of child welfare to hear about current expert research in the area. The one day event will be of interest to social workers, health professionals, those in the family justice system, professionals in adult services working with parents, managers of children’s services and policy makers.

Keynote speakers include Professor Erik Knorth, University of Groningen and Vice President of EUSARF, The Netherlands, Professor Jane Barlow from Warwick University and Harriet Ward from Loughborough University. 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.

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.”

Further information on the conference is available by visiting http://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/ccfr/news/ccfr-conference-2014.html or by contacting Laura Dale at L.dale@lboro.ac.uk