The issue

The abuse and neglect of children is a huge and growing issue.

The NSPCC's most recent How Safe are our Children? report noted:

a 16% year on year increase in police-recorded child sexual offences across the UK
increases in child cruelty and neglect offences in all UK nations except Scotland
increased numbers of children on child protection plans and registers over the last decade.

The system that exists to support these vulnerable children and families is under more strain then ever before. There has been a 26% increase in the number of children placed on child protection plans between 2010-11 and 2017-18, with 404,710 children currently identified as in need (National Audit Office, Jan 2019). During this time frontline safeguarding services; local authorities, schools, police, and the health service have faced unprecedented cuts to funding. And at the nexus of delivering services in this context of rising demand and reducing resources are the child protection professionals.

We exist for those working in and researching child abuse and neglect. We provide access to the latest research, share best practice from the front line, provide affordable advanced practitioner CPD and training, and enable practitioners and researchers to connect as part of a national community working to support children and families.

If you support what we do then why not join as a member or consider donating. As a charity every donation helps us to ensure we can keep our events and services affordable for those who need them.

Latest

Joint events with Child and Family Training

The Association of Child Protection Professionals are planning a series of events with Child and Family Training in late 2019 and early 2020. They will be held in York, London and Birmingham.
(In)stability- parental substance misuse and child protection

‘Their recycling bin is always full of bottles’ the teacher said to me. I am a social worker doing an assessment with a child where there are concerns about parental alcohol misuse. I know that the teacher is trying to be helpful: to tell me that the parents misuse of alcohol is – potentially -longstanding. Eight or so years on, and I can more readily pick apart how the teachers words reflect wider debates and issues in child protection, not least relating to the surveillance of (some) families.
AoCPP social media blackout: 20th - 24th May 2019

From 20th - 24th May 2019 we will be running a social media "blackout" to raise awareness of the issue of the ways in which the internet can be used to facilitate the abuse of children, and to put pressure on companies and the government to do more.
Child Abuse Review CPD Associate Editor Vacancy

Child Abuse Review is seeking to appoint an Associate Editor with responsibility for the new Continuing Professional Development section of the journal.

About us

The Association of Child Protection Professionals is a registered charity and membership association. We provide education and professional development opportunities for those working in child protection.
Join now

The Association of Child Protection Professionals is a charity which has been driving improvement in child protection for 40 years. We exist to help children by supporting the professionals who work with them. We provide access to research; quality and affordable CPD; and peer support to anyone working in child protection. Join the Association of Child Protection Professionals as a member today.
Leave a gift in your will

By remembering the Association of Child Protection Professionals in your Will, your gift will enable us to continue to support and work with child protection professionals towards a world in which all children can grow up in safety and security and without risk of being abused or neglected – now and for many years to come.
Who we help

We support anyone whose work is involved with protecting children or young people from harm. With backgrounds in social work, paediatrics, nursing, psychology, police, law, education, or research, our members and those we work with come from a wide range of disciplines. We help those who want to meet other like-minded professionals to share research, practice, and knowledge do just that.
The issue

The abuse and neglect of children is a huge and growing issue. We exist for those working in and researching child abuse and neglect. We provide access to the latest research, share best practice from the front line, provide affordable advanced practitioner CPD and training, and enable practitioners and researchers to connect as part of a national community working to support children and families.
AoCPP social media blackout: 20th - 24th May 2019

From 20th - 24th May 2019 we will be running a social media "blackout" to raise awareness of the issue of the ways in which the internet can be used to facilitate the abuse of children, and to put pressure on companies and the government to do more.
Benefits of membership

We are the only organisation specifically devoted to supporting child protection professionals and researchers in the field. Join us to broaden your perspective, gain access to cutting edge research, and become part of a community sharing best practice for children.
Where we work

We are proud to support child protection research and practice across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Networking/peer support

We offer a range of networking opportunities to those working in child protection. Through various special interest groups, events and local branches we are able to offer an exchange of information, ideas and best practice for anyone working in safeguarding children and in particular to our members.
What our members say

What can you gain by becoming an Association of Child Protection Professionals member? Find out what our members say by reading some of our member testimonials.