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

Fabulous at Forty - our Anniversary Conference and Celebrations

News of our 40th Anniversary Conference and announcing the winner of the prestigious AoCPP Research and Practice Award 2019….
Have we over-complicated safeguarding and created a self-serving industry?

As a safeguarding manager I need to be assured and to provide assurance that we are getting it right, that we are equipping colleagues with the skills to ensure safeguarding is core to their practice, providing them with advice and support when they need it, and opportunity for supervision and reflection if required. And all of that, collectively, should mean we ensure children and vulnerable adults are safe in our care and when discharged home.
Disruptors and child protection training

In common parlance the term ‘disruptor’ can have a negative connotation, but forward-thinking innovators are changing our understanding of what this word means and the behavior it can be used to describe. ‘Disruptors’ are increasingly being seen as people or ideas that challenge the status quo and ultimately replace it with more effective and efficient ways of doing things.
Our language matters – Why we should stop using the term ‘Disclosure’ in child protection

As a former child abuse investigator from the Metropolitan Police, I am familiar with the word ‘disclosure’. The term is regularly used when receiving or providing a referral and I would often ask or be asked ‘Has the child made a disclosure?’.

What we mean by "Child Protection"

Protecting children from the risk of harm is our core mission and what all our members work for, but there’s more to it than the narrow definition of “child protection”. We understand there are a range of factors involved in keeping children safe.
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.
Volunteering

There are many ways you can volunteer for the Association; if you are interested in donating your time or skills then please check our website regularly for current opportunities or contact the us at [email protected]
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.
Where we work

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