The (In)Visibility of Infants and Young Children in Child Protection

Protecting children globally is complex and legislation, policy and procedures are specific to each country. However, protecting children is complex and even when the ‘voices' of infants and young children are heard, they are not always listened to, or acted upon, by protection services. This chapter therefore critiques the global challenges of protecting infants and young children from abuse, with a specific focus on English child protection systems. The discussion will draw on Articles 19 and 39 of the CRC, which concern themselves with the protection of children and ensuring that intervention services are available to those who have faced adversity. It will also be a focus on children's right to protection and what they need to be protected from, as well as exploring the prevalence of abuse and why intervening in the Early Childhood period is crucial in improving long-term outcomes. There will be consideration of how child protection procedures facilitate (or not) the rights of the youngest citizens to be protected by their parents or caregivers, as well as the other adults and environments they interact with.