Book Review 217

Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Child Abuse Review Vol. 18: 217–218 (2009)DOI: 10.1002/car

Safeguarding Children and Young People. A Guide for Nurses andMidwives by Catherine Powell, Open University Press, McGraw-HillEducation, Berkshire, 2007. 203pp. ISBN 13-978-033522028-1, ISBN 10-033522028-2, £19.99

Catherine Powell identifies in her key aims a desire to produce an acces-sible, readable text which can be ‘dipped into’ but which also provideschapters which are sequential and enable the reader to develop greaterknowledge and understanding in the context of their own practice. Learn-ing outcomes, points on which to reflect and brief case studies on whichto ponder possible actions are contained within each chapter to supportthis process. The chapters conclude with ‘messages for practice’ andrecommended reading for those wishing to explore topics further. However,the majority of the points for reflection and the case studies are not referredto within the text, thereby limiting their value for the reader’s learning.

The early chapters of the book appear to be very opinionated and arewritten in a quite abrupt style. This challenging style is effective inleading the reader into considering carefully the issues being raised andquestioning the points being made. It is a refreshing approach, showing adegree of courage by the author.

However this style, sadly, is not maintained throughout the book andin Chapter 3 the complexity of defining maltreatment becomes evidentwith a vast array of literature being drawn on in an attempt to unpick itsessence. The introduction and inclusion of such a wide range of material,with varying perspectives and conflicting views, may leave an inexperi-enced reader confused about what is currently considered to be childmaltreatment.

Chapter Four sets out to enable nurses and midwives to ‘successfullyenact (their role) in the prevention, recognition and referral of casesof possible child maltreatment’ (p. 68). The chapter identifies a widerange of physical, behavioural and contextual signs which might indicatepossible maltreatment and promote concerns, however, few examples areoffered to the reader, potentially leaving individuals concerned aboutwhether they would be able to recognise the signs. The brevity of theemotional abuse section in the chapter was disappointing, especiallyas this is such an important area when considered in the context of earlyindicators. Nothing in the chapter clearly refers to the value of discussionand information sharing to assist in clarifying concerns.

The chapters covering vulnerable children, fabricated illness, childneglect and child deaths provide valuable information and draw on a rangeof literature which assists the reader in understanding these areas further.The safeguarding role of the individual practitioner in each case was lesswell defined and increasing the use of case studies to explore the issueswould have been valuable.

The concept of death review panels was well presented and offered aclearer image of the work they may achieve within the safeguarding arena.

Serious case reviews universally refer to information sharing as a keyarea requiring improvement and development. It is also an area whichalways provides the most debate and discussion in safeguarding childrentraining sessions. It was therefore disappointing that this was only asection within the chapter.

Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Child Abuse Review Vol. 18: 217–218 (2009)Published online 11 May 2009 in Wiley InterScience(www.interscience.wiley.com) DOI: 10.1002/car.1067

BookReviewEdited by Jacqui Casher

‘A refreshingapproach, showinga degree of courageby the author’

‘Increasing the useof case studies toexplore the issueswould have beenvaluable’

218 Book Review

Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Child Abuse Review Vol. 18: 217–218 (2009)DOI: 10.1002/car

Overall, Catherine Powell’s book is an easy to read text with someuseful sections and has drawn together a wide range of literature.However, I feel it fails as an effective ‘stand alone’ guide for individualpractitioners. The book does not enlighten the reader to the fact that safe-guarding children is a multi-professional interagency activity within whichwe all learn from and utilise each other’s expertise.

Alison ChapmanLead Nurse Safeguarding Children, Oxford Radcliffe Hospital NHS Trust

Affiliate Lecturer, Oxford Brookes UniversityPublished online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI: 10.1002/car.1067