This is the first report following a committment by the UK Government that a review would be carried out every three years on how well children are being safeguarded. It draws on the findings of a wide range of inspection activity undertaken by individual inspectorates. In addition a joint inspection was undertaken to assess interagency arrangements for safeguarding children. The report identifies examples of good practice. It also highlights the safety of children is being compromised because of (a) insufficient priority being given to safeguarding children (b) lack of committment to and inadequate resources for Area Child Protection Committees (c) severe difficulties in recruiting and retaining public sector professionals, particularly those working in the field of child protection and welfare.

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