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This book deals with the issue of providing effective help and adequate standards of care to children and young people who are suffering or likely to suffer from significant harm from abuse or neglect.The rich empirical evidence about the lasting and long-term negative effects of child maltreatment together with the global commitment to guarantee the child´s right to protection from maltreatment reinforced by the United Nations´ Convention on the Right of the Child, secures the significance and potency of the current research.

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For over ten years, I have been academically and professionally involved in the field of social care, dealing specifically with abused and neglected children and youth. I scientifically researched the issue of child protection decision making through my PhD studies in Social Policy at the London School of Economics, UK.

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