Emotional and Psychological Abuse A Guide for Childcare Professionals The principal objectives of this book are to enable childcare workers to understand and deal more effectively with cases of emotional and psychological abuse. The concepts of emotional development, emotional abuse, psychological development, and psychological abuse are fully explored and clearly defined, within the contexts of: Existing literature and research Childcare legislation and practice Child abuse enquiry reports, in particular that of Victoria Climbié The book identifies emotional and psychological development and abuse in specific age categories, 0-4, 5-12, and adolescence. Case studies and vignettes are used to highlight normal development and abusive situations. Comprehensive frameworks which are easily applicable to current practice are provided, enabling workers to observe and accurately assess the quality of the emotional and psychological lives of children. Identifying Emotional and Psychological Abuse is key reading for health and social care professionals, as well as students with an interest in child protection. Cover design Hybert Design • www.hybertdesign.com www.openup.co.uk ISBN 0-335-21546-7 9 780335 215461 Kieran O’Hagan Kieran O’Hagan was Reader in Social Work at Queen’s University Belfast. Previously, he was Principal Case Worker (child abuse) in Leeds, and spent twenty years in front line child protection work and training in various Social Services departments in England. He has published several books and many articles on aspects of child protection work, particularly on the challenges of emotional and psychological abuse. IDENTIFYING Emotional and Psychological Abuse IDENTIFYING IDENTIFYING Emotional and Psychological Abuse A Guide for Childcare Professionals Kieran O’Hagan Identifying Emotional and Psychological Abuse A Guide for Childcare Professionals To Niamh, Patrick, Shauna, Leah and Ceri – great educators Identifying Emotional and Psychological Abuse A Guide for Childcare Professionals Kieran O’Hagan Open University Press Open University Press McGraw-Hill Education McGraw-Hill House Shoppenhangers Road Maidenhead Berkshire England SL6 2QL email:
[email protected] world wide web: www.openup.co.uk and Two Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10121-2289, USA First published 2006 Copyright © Kieran O’Hagan All rights reserved. Except for the quotation of short passages for the purpose of criticism and review, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted,