Child Safeguarding Research Articles

An analysis of child safeguarding cases managed by National Governing Bodies of sport across England and Wales

AbstractThis study responded to a recommendation in the independent Duty of Care Report that called for standardised data to be collected and analysed regarding safeguarding cases in sport. A standardised case data tool was developed and piloted before being adopted by National Governing Bodies across England and Wales. An analysis of the first 4 years of data shows that a total of 3129 cases were managed. Overall, 54% of cases concerned behaviour outside of the context of sport. This demonstrates that sport plays an important role in the broader child protection system. In the remaining 46% of cases, the safeguarding concern was related to behaviour in the context of sport. The most commonly reported forms of concern in sport were physical abuse (20%), contact sexual abuse (20%), non‐contact sexual abuse (17%) and emotional abuse (17%). The threshold for cases to be included in the analysis was that the case was judged to be sufficiently serious to involve referral to, or consultation with, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), Children's Services or the Police. There are clearly many cases that did not meet this threshold or were never reported, and hence, these data provide an indication of the safeguarding issues related to sport. The need to expand the tool to collect lower level concerns as well as to include safeguarding concerns regarding adults is advocated.

A thematic analysis of the involvement of children and families in Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews in England

AbstractThe need to involve children and families in Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews (CSPRs) is set out within the current statutory guidance. However, there remains limited guidance that sets out how this should be done and the available research indicates that children and families are often excluded or choose not to be involved. The aim of this study was to explore how children and families are currently being involved in CSPRs in order to support the development of best practice approaches. The study was conducted by undertaking a thematic analysis of the involvement of children and families in the CSPRs published on the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) repository since the implementation of the guidance in 2018. The analyses identified four themes: ‘reports do not mention family involvement’, ‘children and families were excluded’, ‘children and families were invited but were not involved’ and ‘children and families were invited and at least one member was involved’. The study concludes that there is a necessity for clearer guidance regarding how, when and who will engage with the children and families, taking an individualised approach that offers flexibility, provides support and addresses trauma.

Analysis of Saudi Arabia's Legislative Reforms to Strengthen Compliance with The Convention on the Rights of the Child and SDGS: Enhancing Online Protection for Future Generations

Objectives: The goals of this research are to examine and review the recent law changes implemented by Saudi Arabia regarding the safeguarding of children from online dangers and determine their consistency with the International Convention on the Rights of the Child and sustainable development goals (SDGs). Method: The study utilizes a comparative analytical methodology, examining legal literature and international conventions pertaining to child rights and assessing Saudi law articles and recent revisions. Results and Discussions: The findings suggest that latest legislative changes in Saudi Arabia have enhanced the safeguarding of children's rights and achieved a higher level of compliance with international agreements and SDGs. Furthermore, it is crucial to promote collaboration between governmental and non-governmental organizations to provide comprehensive support to children in terms of their rights and protection from online risks, considering the rapid advancements in technology. Research Implications: The investigation emphasizes the significance of regularly updating legislation to keep up with technological progress. It also stresses the necessity of combining legal frameworks with educational programs and media campaigns to safeguard children in the digital era. Originality or Value: The present study offers a comprehensive examination of the legal changes made in Saudi Arabia to safeguard children from online dangers and assesses how well these changes match with global norms. The statement emphasizes the significance of incorporating legislation, media, and education in order to tackle the digital difficulties that children encounter.

The Legal Implications of Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies: A Nigerian Perspective

Children have the right to life, survival and development but also a right to be protected from any form of abuse, particularly in schools. Therefore, the standards for child protection in schools should be guided by the principles that prioritize the safety, well-being and rights of children. These principles form the basis of child protection safeguarding policies in schools and are paramount in ensuring a safe and secure learning environment for children. Yet the spate of child protection issues in Nigeria raises questions regarding the existence, implementation and enforcement of the pieces of legislation and policies within schools. This work not only examined the legal framework for child protection in Nigeria but also the legal implications of child safeguarding policies in schools. It argues that in order for schools to create a secure and safe environment for learning, firstly, the establishment of child safeguarding policies and procedure are critical to achieving this. Secondly, schools need to abandon the old concept of punishment-based discipline that relies on fear and embrace a more modern correction-based approach to discipline and establish structures to leverage discipline to achieve a safe and secure environment for all. It concludes that safeguarding policies should be viewed as a school’s translation of child protection legislation for action and as such, its implementation manual. In drawing lessons from the UK, the study recommended that government needs to drive child protection issues through the education of stakeholders and the establishment of an enforcement mechanism or regulatory body. This body should coordinate child safeguarding issues by providing a platform for stakeholder collaboration in order to achieve more cohesion within the sector.

Understanding "Childhood Poly-Victimization" to help uncover abuse during child investigative interviewing: a systematic review.

It is well established that child victims are some of the most challenging populations to interview. Indeed, children tend to feel ashamed, scared or in denial, leading to difficulties for law enforcement when gathering information, and subsequently with prosecuting offenders. Moreover, with crimes against children increasing, it is common for interviewed victims to have experienced several abuses (poly-victimization). Thus, the main goals of this study are to (1) identify the facets that are included in poly-victimization, in order to (2) provide a clear definition that can be used by law enforcement during child interviews, which could lead to (3) a better identification of cases of abuse to maximize safeguarding and protect children. A systematic review was used to establish the differences in conceptualizations of poly-victimization as well as the measurements chosen by research to measure this concept. The current systematic review included research articles on childhood poly-victimization using a quantitative measuring instrument published as of 2007, that focused on populations under 18 years of age. The findings were divided into (1) conceptual dimensions, (2) characteristics of studies' populations and (3) measures and psychometrics properties. It was found that research used various terms for poly-victimization, yet with numerous definitions implying differences in number of abuses, time frame, and mental health aspects to be considered in the identification of poly-victimization. The included papers (n = 6) were from Europe, Asia, and the United States. Over half of the studies used the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (JVQ) but adapted either (i) to the study's population, (ii) possible answers, (iii) wording of questions, or (iv) by the removal of questions. Our findings highlight the need for a more theoretically coherent definition of childhood poly-victimization. Questions regarding number of abuses, time consideration (past year vs. lifetime), mental health and severity of abuse should be addressed to develop a unified definition of poly-victimization. Rapport-based interviews should be the focus to uncover the truth and to avoid a secondary trauma in the crisis of a child's disclosure of abuse. A new definition of "Childhood Poly-Victimization" is proposed by the authors as well as a "Decision Tree for Identifying Childhood Poly-Victimization" designed to be used by law enforcement during child investigative interviews.

The need for empirical research on the school data protection officer's role

Data protection regulations in educational settings rely to a great extent on the (School) Data Protection Officer. In this paper, we focus the analytical lens on the socio-legal position of the School Data Protection Officer in the UK, showing they are pivotal to ensure schools’ legal compliance. Their role requires a unique combination of skills and knowledge in a complicated landscape of data protection regulations, the pressure of the digital economy, and maintaining high-quality, high-stakes education. Yet their professional experiences and need for empowerment have gone largely unheard in academia and public debate. The social reality of schools may raise certain practical and conceptual tensions for the legal importance of the School Data Protection Officer. We highlight where this raises questions for the effective implementation of digital data protection regulation for children and young people in schools today. Further empirical research is needed to ensure the pivotal role of the School Data Protection Officer is recognised in upcoming data protection policy reviews. We recommend specific questions for future research to consider, to help overcome this gap in knowledge related to the practical safeguarding of children's digital data rights.

Learning collective care to support young climate justice advocates

Young people mitigate their climate distress, develop their efficacy, and contribute to the effectiveness of climate movements through activism. However, they are often excluded from adult-led climate movements and exposed to a number of risks when they do participate. In this context, this participatory action research study draws on multiple care theories to offer collective care praxis through which adults and young people might co-create more care-full and safe climate justice movements capable of supporting, sustaining, and sharing power with young people. The study examines how 13 young and three adult co-researchers learned about and applied collective care through a youth climate justice training program in Western Australia. The program enabled young people to engage with climate emotions, identify care practices, and map support networks. Furthermore, the study developed three practices for adult-led climate movements engaging with young people: Responding to intersectionality with active solidarity, child safeguarding, and building care-full community coalitions. We conclude that a collective care praxis offers organisers and activists in all their diversities an opportunity to prefigure more care-full and just climate movements.

Intra- and interpersonal influences on child adjustment and resilience in welfare care: A qualitative study with former caregivers in Switzerland

Despite the growing research on child maltreatment within welfare care, few studies have included the caregivers who were involved in care provision and can provide insights on an intra- and interpersonal level. Therefore, this study aimed to examine intra- and interpersonal factors that promoted or hindered the adaptive adjustment and resilience of children in welfare care, from the previously neglected perspective of former caregivers. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with N = 12 Swiss former caregivers. Participants were 10 females and 2 males, aged between 58–91 years (mean age = 74.5 years). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using framework analysis. Two themes emerged from the data on both the intrapersonal level (i.e., Core Characteristics, Coping), and interpersonal level (i.e., Caregiving Attitudes and Actions, Relationships and Attachment). Resilience hindering factors included emotion regulation difficulties, issues within the child-caregiver relationship (e.g., differential treatment, abuse and punitive measures, lack of affection and attachment), and placement disruptions. Resilience promoting factors included coping via creativity and imagination, and social and emotional support beyond the caregiver (e.g., siblings, animals). Results highlight key areas for action at the intra- and interpersonal levels, including psychotherapeutic interventions for children in care (e.g., addressing insecure attachment), and psychoeducation and mentoring programs to enhance caregiver reflective practices and improve care provision. Future research and practice should incorporate the caregiver perspective to develop the training and support for care staff and ensure the safeguarding of (current and future) children in welfare care.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING POLICY IN LEMBAGA PENYELENGGARA KESEJAHTERAAN SOSIAL (LPKS)

Lembaga Penyelenggaraan Kesejahteraan Sosial (LPKS) is an institution that organizes social rehabilitation programs for children in conflict with the law. LPKS applies a social work and child rights approach to achieve children's social functioning, growth, and development in a safe environment while participating in social rehabilitation programs. LPKS chose the Child Safeguarding Policy (CSP) to uphold a safe environment. CSP is a system or collection of activities, procedures, documents, and responses in addressing child protection issues in the context of the institution. It covers a range of activities from prevention to response to child abuse issues. This article aims to describe the process of the Social Welfare Institution in implementing the Child Protection Policy. This article is a qualitative article based on the framework of constructivism and interpretivism, using ethnographic methods. Its selection is based on the benefits of collecting information through involvement in implementation, participatory observation, field notes, and report documents. The process of LPKS in implementing the Child Protection Policy implies (1) the role of leaders in demonstrating the commitment of the institution to protecting children from the risk of abuse, (2) the Child Protection Policy must be carried out integrally through awareness, prevention, reporting, and response to child abuse issues, (3) the Protection Policy must be carried out in an integrated manner.

Too risky yet not risky enough: the intersecting characteristics, vulnerabilities, harm indicators and guardianship issues associated with seriously harmed missing children

ABSTRACT The number of missing child reports exceed police investigative capacity, yet some incidents are linked with harm, making effective risk assessment essential for safeguarding. Police data likely underrepresents harm to missing children due to harm being undisclosed, and missing incidents going unreported. A better understanding of harm associated with missing children could help to develop appropriate interventions to reduce missing incidents and prevent harm. This study examined 18 months of published Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews across England – a previously overlooked resource for understanding harm to missing children – to identify the intersecting characteristics, vulnerabilities, harm types, indicators, and issues with formal guardianship (safeguarding by carers, schools, local authorities, police and health professionals). Results revealed that children were missing, vulnerable, harmed, and showed indicators of exploitation in numerous and intersecting ways. Of the missing from home or care (MFHC) cases, all but two mentioned repeat missing incidents, all mentioned missing school, 75% mentioned exclusion, and over half mentioned going missing from both home and care. All MFHC cases mentioned multiple vulnerabilities and multiple harm types. All but one of the MFHC cases mentioned multiple exploitation indicators. This highlights opportunities for guardianship including extending the police Philomena Protocol to schools for children at risk of exclusion. The constraints of formal guardians, when combined with the risks faced by some vulnerable children, can lead to inadequate supervision and support – paradoxically leaving those children simultaneously overexposed to harm yet under-served by protective services.

Legal Studies on Child Adoption in the Indonesian Family Context: A Juridical Review

Child adoption is a crucial process in family law, involving the legal acceptance of a non-biologically related child into another family. In Indonesia, adoption safeguards children's rights to a stable family environment, making family law's role pivotal. However, adoption in Indonesia faces challenges like complex procedures, limited information, and bureaucratic delays. This study aims to explore adoption's facets in Indonesia: its legal process, common obstacles, family law's role in safeguarding children's and adoptive parents' rights, and Law Number 23 of 2002's effectiveness in handling adoption cases. Using normative juridical research, this study analyzes secondary data from regulations and literature. Findings reveal the adoption process's intricacies, highlighting issues with legal compliance, children's rights protection, and adoptive parents' responsibilities. Courts play a vital role in ensuring legal certainty for adopted children. Adoption not only involves legal aspects but also emotional challenges for the adopted child. This research enhances understanding of Indonesian adoption and informs better family law policies and practices, aiming to improve adopted children's and adopting families' welfare and protection

Rights and Safeguarding of Children: A Qualitative Investigation in Arghakhanchi

In Nepal, there are many intricate issues surrounding child abuse and neglect, especially in rural areas. The objective of this research is to give a thorough knowledge of these problems that goes beyond simple information. The study uses a qualitative methodology and was carried out in Arghakhanchi. It involved two focus group discussions (FGDs) and five one-on-one interviews. The study, which takes a rights-based methodology, identifies inadequacies in child protection and takes into account the intersectionality of gender and poverty in rural Nepal. Qualitative information was analyzed by making themes, sub-themes, and categories. The study looks into a number of pieces of information that affect children's rights, including cultural norms, socioeconomic situations, and the efficiency of safety. The content that has been identified is financial resources, social values and beliefs, family dynamics, and service structures. It is found that dysfunctional homes, early pregnancy, school dropouts, exploitation, homelessness, child labor, and physical and emotional abuse are the hindrances to child rights. The findings placed a strong emphasis on community-based insight that can play a major role in defending children's rights. The ramifications go beyond guiding policy and community-based initiatives, with the goal of enhancing the general welfare of children in comparable rural environments in Nepal.

Risk factors in the digital space

Aim: The aim of the study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of children’s Internet usage and their activities in relation to the risk factors and some of the effects of victimisation in the digital world, besides looking at a few of the relevant functional characteristics of social media. By identifying pertinent criminological factors that contribute to harmful behaviours targeting children in the cyber domain, this research contributes understanding of the preventive measures or potential risks associated with online victimisation and the development of digital technologies in safeguarding children online.Methodology: The research mainly reviews and analyses relevant data from academic literature, policy documents, legal sources and statistics in a criminological theoretical context.Findings: The study highlights that children dedicate a substantial amount of time to the digital space, and alongside its advantages, the risk of becoming victims also escalates. Drawing attention to children’s emotional vulnerability and the effects of online abuse is particularly crucial in terms of prevention and intervention. Constant enhancement of regulations and measures, diligent monitoring of international best practices, comprehending and effectively addressing emerging technologies and trends, as well as promoting collaboration among stakeholders, can facilitate a more effective safeguarding of children in cyberspace.Value: The study facilitates a better comprehension of children’s internet usage habits and the risks inherent in them, as well as the processes and circumstances leading to online victimisation, thereby promoting the development of law enforcement and regulatory practices that prioritise effective victim protection and the consideration of children’s rights. Additionally, it aids in the establishment of child protection protocols and collaborations that take into account the aforementioned aspects.

Using a systems perspective to examine child protection systems and practice: A scoping review on child abandonment and institutionalisation in the Maghreb

The Maghreb (Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco (including Western Sahara), Tunisia) has high rates of child maltreatment and child abandonment, leading to high rates of child institutionalisation. This review aims to provide an estimate of the prevalence of children in institutions in the countries of the Maghreb and to compare and contrast the child protection systems in the region. Using a scoping review approach, we identified 44 relevant studies from databases including Academic Search Premiere, Africa-Wide Information, Policy file Index, Google, and Google Scholar. Estimated children in institutions were as follows: Algeria 550,000, Libya 80–145,000, Mauritania 45,850, Morocco 471,006, and Tunisia 140,000. Common elements included limited child protection resources, lack of transparent databases, limited separation between religion and state, Shariah's influence on social and cultural norms, and a kafala system, an Islamically prescribed from of permanent guardianship for abandoned children. Mauritania and Tunisia had dedicated child protection codes, and all countries except Libya reported to the CRC. The literature indicates that components of the child protection systems in the countries of the Maghreb are fragmented with competing purposes, prioritising existing communitarian cultural mores over child protection. High rates of child abandonment and institutionalisation in the region result from inadequate child safeguarding structures and the stigmatisation of unmarried mothers and their children. Kafala, is a common element of Maghrebian child protection systems, with little alternative care provision, such as foster care. The scoping review highlights the opportunity to develop and adapt existing child safeguarding and alternative care structures and practice between countries of the Maghreb. Intra-regional research is urgently needed to facilitate changes and reduce rates of child abandonment and institutionalisation.

Critical Disability Studies, Corporeality and Child Maltreatment: Theorising the Somatechnics of Self and Other

This paper presents a bespoke postmodern reading of the corporeality and somatechnics of self and other. It situates itself within the transformative transdisciplinary space of critical disability studies. Therein, it reflects upon the speculative boundaries between self and other, in the context of childhood disability and child maltreatment. As such, how the intervals and convergent space of self and other are engendered by technologies and techniques that both safeguard and endanger disabled children, is interrogated with classic postmodern scepticism. The context is, that international evidence places the prevalence of child abuse and neglect at significantly increased levels for disabled children. This is an enduring international problem in which disabled children continue to experience rates of abuse and neglect that far surpass those for non-disabled peers. Concurrently, safeguarding efforts are undermined in ways that are grossly dissimilar to majority population peers, including significant problems in the way that disability is conceptualised and understood. Selective reading of somatic and corporeal, as well as agentic and attitudinal dimensions of the problem, hinge on the theoretical binary of self and other. The intention is to broaden the ways in which the significant problem of safeguarding of disabled children is understood. Assistive technology, surveillance techniques and temporalities, and varied relational technics of safeguarding, all help to embed a more complicated understanding of disability and child maltreatment.

Implementation of Diversion for Children in Conflict with the Law by the National Police of Indonesia

This research explores the execution of diversion for juveniles in conflict with the law by the Indonesian National Police. Analyzing and evaluating the Indonesian justice system’s regulation of the safeguarding of children who are in conflict with the law and diversion as an aspect of safeguarding children constitutes normative research. Statutory and conceptual approaches are utilized throughout the investigation. Restorative justice is a component of the police’s strategy to combat crime on the ground, according to the findings of this study. The fundamental concept of diversion in juvenile restorative justice is the transfer of cases involving juveniles from the criminal justice process to an impartial process outside of the judicial system, with an emphasis on restoring the original situation as opposed to punishment. Consequently, the application of diversion in restoration justice in the system for juvenile offenders is less effective in the police.

Legal Protection for Children Against Climate Change in the Southeast Asia Region Apropos of Target 13.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDG 2030)

Objective: This article seeks to elucidate children's rights to protection from climate-related hazards in the Southeast Asia region and to highlight the effects of climate change on children's development rights. Further reference is made to Target 13.3 of SDG 2030, which aims to improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning as methods to combat climate change and its impacts. Theoretical Reference: Paramount considerations in addressing the impacts of climate change on children revolve around two central principles: children's best interests and the intergenerational equity principle. These principles stress the importance of prioritizing children's well-being and rights in climate change policies. Furthermore, they underscore the significance of long-term thinking and decision-making to ensure a sustainable and habitable planet for future generations, in line with broader goals of sustainability and environmental responsibility. Method: The study is based on doctrinal legal research, using reasoning to assess statutory provisions and legal precedents. Data from library research were analyzed through content analysis, primarily focusing on legal concepts, principles, and selected statutes. Results and conclusion: The article reveals that climate change has the potential to negatively impact children's social status, safety, and health, resulting in stunted life potential and infringed development rights. In the Southeast Asia region, legal measures are in place to safeguard children's rights to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, primarily through the promotion of climate change education. These legal protections are aligned with Target 13.3 of the SDG 2030 framework. However, for these protections to be effective, there is a need for international and national implementation. Therefore, it becomes crucial for the global community to prioritize the safeguarding and preparation of children for the climate change crisis. This involves increasing awareness, providing secure options, and encouraging active participation, particularly in the realm of children's education. Research Implications: This study emphasizes the vital link between climate change and the welfare of children in Southeast Asia, highlighting the necessity for comprehensive, international, and child-centric approaches to tackle the consequences of climate change on their rights and progress. It demands immediate action to safeguard the most susceptible individuals and guarantee every child's safe and sustainable future. Originality/Value: This study significantly increases comprehension of the complex correlation between climate change and child rights and provides a foundation for targeted actions and the development of policies.

The Human Initiative Organization as Initiation Child Protection in Bengkulu

This research is descriptive quantitative research. The research aims to understand the role of organisations human initiative in child protection in Bengkulu. This study using data collected primary and interviews. This study using the quantitative analysis, multiple linear regression analysis and analysis determined with the help of the SPSS 25 application. Populations in this study are the stewards and volunteers of the human organization's initialized 30 responders consist of 10 male responders 33.3 % and 20 female responders 66.7 %. The responders are the stewards or volunteers of the human initiative organization are college students from various study programs that have interest in the social services., empowerment and child education problems. The results of the research obtained were tested using test t and test f shows the impact of active roles, Participatory roles and passive roles against good child protection non-discrimination, The best interests of the child, The right to live, Survival and development, An award for the child's opinion. Research shows the average human organization's role in what appears to be an active role 21.97%, participatory role 21.67% and passive role 17.47%. In addition to child protection applied to non-discrimination 13.40 %, child's best interests 13.00 %, right to live 11.50 %, survival and development 12.80% and award to child 17%. An active role having influence stimultan against non-discrimination and a positive influence on the interests of children and the right to life and survival covering basic needs, education and social welfare or temporary habitation. We still do not have significantly affect the award stimultan in the opinion. It is grounded in part in accordance with the rules on the run / norm focus on children through the organization constructed with standardized child safe guarding policy and joint commitment through the HOME (hug, opportunity, mentality, education) and based on the style of leadership that is flexible and responsible in any decision making by approaching co-creation strategy. The role of participatory having influence in stimultan against non-discriminatory, the interests of children and having the right to life and significantly affect the child survival. Meanwhile the role of participatory have no influence on the interests of children and survival and awards toward the opinions of children significantly. It is caused by restriction existing programs as well as the awareness organization / volunteers related convention limited the rights of the child. In addition can look through the dynamic role owned in carrying out rights and obligations and needs conditional made by the organization of the needs in fulfilling formal (human needs, productivity and profitability of the organization and quality of human life) in Human Service Organizations. Passive roles have a significant impact on non-discrimination. However, it has no partial impact on non-discrimination. On the other hand, the passive role has a positive influence on the interests of the child and the rights of the child due to human initiative becomes a symbol/reference of the organization in the protection and enforcement of the rights of the child. In addition, passive roles have an influence on the right to life and survival of the child. Passive roles do not have a significant influence on the appreciation of the opinion of the child. This is because human initiative is defined as a symbol/reference organization on the standard of child service both normatively and comparatively for Pathfinding, Alignment and Empowering.

Children living in prison with a primary caregiver: a global mapping of age restrictions and duration of stay.

Women represent a growing proportion of the global prison population of 11·5 million people. No reliable estimates exist of the number of pregnant women or number of children born in or living in prison with a primary caregiver. Permitting a child to stay in prison with a primary caregiver for any duration has advantages and disadvantages for both the caregiver and the child. Global consensus on the age at which child confinement inhibits healthy development has not been reached. Human rights violations worldwide illustrate the failures of prison systems to consider the needs of children and ensure humane standards for children living in detention. In this Health Policy, we map the global variation in age restrictions and durations of stay in prison with a primary caregiver. We show a broad range of approaches and provisions for the placement of children in prison. Policy makers are advised to adopt provisions of Article 30 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, as it is the only set of explicit guidelines regarding individualised qualitative judicial decision-making processes, consideration of relevant safeguarding factors, practical application of permissions to stay in prison regarding standards of paediatric care, and provisions of safety-net supports on prison exit. Training of staff and routine monitoring of paediatric standards of detention by national prison inspectorates and UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies are crucial. Future research agendas must focus on optimal child safeguarding and development during transfer and confinement, and on requisite prison-exit supports in various cultural contexts and settings.

Into the Great Wide Open—From Classroom to Virtual Learning

This paper charts the journey from classroom-based training delivery to hybrid and virtual learning opportunities used to overcome the challenges imposed by public health restrictions introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The public health measures introduced in March 2020 had a significant effect on the ability of the Children First Information and Advice Service (CFIAS), in Tusla, Ireland’s Child and Family Agency, to deliver services. One of the key tools used by the CFIAS to support understanding of responsibilities, and best practice, in child safeguarding by professionals, and within organisations, has been the provision of direct training and information sessions. The introduction of public health restrictions necessitated a complete rethink by the CFIAS on how child safeguarding training and information are delivered. The paper presents an outline of the background and context of child safeguarding in Ireland, followed by a description of some of the challenges experienced by the CFIAS in response to the pandemic public health restrictions. It includes discussion on strategies and solutions considered to overcome these challenges. There is further discussion on the tools and methods eventually used, followed by a reflection on lessons learned by the CFIAS in areas including training delivery and methodology, eLearning, and information provision. The paper provides an analysis of limited qualitative and quantitative data, as well as a reflection on the lived experience of the CFIAS team members responding to the challenges posed during this time period, rather than a preplanned research study on pedagogical approaches in adult learning.