Core groups: A review of the literature

Abstract

The concept of the core group was introduced into the child protection system in 1986 with little central guidance, leaving individual ACPCs to forage their own evolutionary paths. This has been largely driven and guided by practitioners. The review of child protection practice commissioned centrally (DoH, 1995) did not evaluate the core group in detail, despite overwhelming evidence that post-registration practice was poorly planned and discharged. Instead, it alluded to its potential. This has thus far been left unharnassed. This paper seeks to review the emerging literature base in relation to core groups. The lack of literature over the last 12 years is curious, and may well reflect the lack of priority given to the area of post-registration practice. Even in recent work relating to outcomes (see Parker, et al., 1991), there is hardly a mention of core groups. The principal informational base is being generated by individual practitioners conducting local research. It is now time to take stock and promote best practice in an effort to not unnecessarily re-invent the same wheel.