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Early Years

Early Years research involves the ongoing development of an internationally recognised methodology for systematically reviewing the world literature with regard to child abuse and neglect.

Our focus, to date, has been on:

  • The recognition and investigation of suspected abuse / maltreatment, providing current and accessible literature, whilst also recommending a research agenda for those working within the field.
  • Health services research using electronically linked data that is routinely collected from health and social care.

The programme will continue build on unintentional injuries in children and expand the programme of work on health services research using record liked data, utilising the platform for e-research within the MRC cipher centre.

Early Years research is conducted in close collaboration with Cardiff Child Protection Systematic Reviews (Core Info) and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

Impact

  • In conjunction with NSPCC, the publication of a guide for practitioners, urging them to look out for the signs of neglect and emotional abuse in babies and pre-school aged children (May 2012).
  • In conjunction with NSPCC, the publication of a guide summarising what is currently known about oral injuries and human bites in relation to child abuse (July 2009).

Principal Investigators

Core Info CORE INFO team shortlisted for BMJ Child Health Team of the Year 2013
The Cardiff Child Protection Systematic Review Group jointly led by Professor Alison Kemp and Dr Sabine Maguire, has been nominated for this year’s BMJ Improving Health Awards’ Child Health Team of the Year. Over the past ten years the group has developed an internationally recognised methodology for systematically reviewing the world literature with regard to child abuse and neglect.

Cardiff Child Protection Systematic Reviews
Project Focus: PROTECT is a series of primary studies aimed at developing diagnostic tools to improve the recognition of physical child abuse. The team, led by Prof Alison Kemp are developing a computer based predictive tool to identify bruising from physical abuse in young children by comparing bruising patterns resulting from everyday activity, children who have been abused, children with coagulation disorders and children from accident and emergency.