Taking time to read the articles presented in this very full volume of Child Care in Practice has been a pleasure. Existing in a world where so much energy tends to be focussed on resources and policy issues can overshadow the fact that creative, quality practice is happening across a wide range of child care settings which is heartening.

While no overall theme runs through this volume, the papers combine to present insights into the challenges and complexities of effective interventions, which achieve positive outcomes for particular children, young people and families. Ann Lloyd and Maeve McColgan describe in thought-provoking fable-style, a piece of co-working undertaken with two grandparents and the positive outcomes achieved for all four from this joint approach. Ann Woodrow uses a social learning theory perspective to give insight into the impact of environmental factors on a three-year-old boys’ development. Her conclusion that a good developmental outcome for the child could be achieved by positive environmental changes, is both hopeful yet challenging.

Young people are the focus for two papers; an evaluation of a Befriending Scheme for care leavers is presented by Nadine McBriar, Lorraine Noade and Beverley Ringland while Matt Milliken makes the case for a Belfast Youth Parliament. The impact on parental health and stress levels in families with a child with multiple disabilities is examined by Maria Truesdale and Ray McConkey in a recent study which highlights the complexities of linking family needs to service supports.

The common thread running through the remaining three papers is the issue of Child Abuse. In his paper, Calum MacLeod challenges us to re-examine the principle of a partnership approach with parents in cases of abuse where denial is a feature. Female adolescent survivors of sexual abuse is the focus for Marja Mulder and Elaine Wright’s paper describing an inter-agency approach to a group work project for seven female adolescents.

Finally, Martin Calder presents a very helpful paper on the development of effective agency protocols for children abused or at risk of abuse through prostitution. This troubling issue has attracted local media attention in recent times and in April this year was the subject of a conference organised jointly by Include Youth and South and East Belfast HSS Trust. This conference, aptly entitled "Out of the shadows’, brought together a range of professionals for the first time locally, to share knowledge and experience of what is acknowledged to be an intimidating subject.

From the perspective of our own agency, it is clear that we can no longer afford to ignore or be complacent about the fact that, for some children in our society, abuse through prostitution is an actuality and for others a very real risk. There is a need for us to develop a potentially province-wide strategic response to the needs of these children, which is premised on prevention and protection. Drawing on the experience of undertaking work elsewhere on this issue at service, policy and strategic levels, Barnardo’s NI. is committed to sharing learning in this area of work and to progressing plans to achieve co-ordinated inter-agency strategic and operational responses. If we aspire to ensuring that all children in Northern Ireland have the right to protection, safety and freedom from exploitation it is crucial that this issue is placed openly and firmly on the agenda of all those concerned with the well-being and protection of children at all levels.

Linda McClure
Barnardo’s