Episode 40 | Child sexual abuse in foster and kinship care, special guardianship and adoption

In this episode of CoramBAAF Conversations, Jo Francis (Publications Manager) is joined by Hedy Cleaver and Wendy Rose OBE to talk about their Good Practice Guide, Child sexual abuse in foster and kinship care, special guardianship and adoption: Learning from safeguarding reviews 2007–2022. 

They discuss findings from 27 safeguarding reviews involving 87 children, highlighting the risks posed by serial abusers, the barriers to disclosure for children, and how perpetrators often avoid scrutiny. The conversation also covers child-on-child abuse, the need for thorough risk assessments, and the importance of professionals remaining alert to signs of harm. 

Hedy and Wendy emphasise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and introduce two resources: a detailed guide for practitioners and a shorter companion for all professionals working with children. 

Hedy Cleaver is an Emeritus Professor at Royal Holloway College, University of London, with experience as a social worker and child psychologist. The findings from her research have had an identifiable impact on UK policy and practice in respect of children and families throughout the past 35 years. 

Wendy Rose OBE held children’s policy responsibilities at the Department of Health as Assistant Chief Inspector, following social work and senior management experience in the NHS and local authority, and a Senior Research Fellow position at the Open University. She was a professional adviser to the Scottish Government on developing its children’s policy, Getting it Right for Every Child. She also worked with the Welsh Government on its safeguarding reforms and was an Honorary Research Fellow at Cardiff University.