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(10) The role of the child abuse committee
Three levels of co-ordination among welfare agencies as applied to child abuse were
identified. The first is "ad hoc co-ordination" which describes the variety of contacts
by letter, telephone, or face-to-face discussions between practitioners about particular
cases. The second level "systematic case co-ordination" is seen in case conferences. The
third "programme co-ordination" is seen in policy-making about child abuse and
neglect (Hallet & Stevenson 1980).
The main functions of the committee are devising and advising on procedures for
dealing with cases, reviewing the work of case conferences and providing education
and training programmes for staff dealing with cases. This sort of committee is
characterized by wide membership of all groups.
Delnero et al. (1972) mentions that the task of the committee includes:
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the collection of historical data ;
the interpretation of physical findings and laboratory reports ;
the building up of meaningful communications with welfare
organizations ;
arriving at an understanding of personal feelings in connection with
parents who abuse small children;
providing legal services during court hearings ; and
maintaining a long-term follow-up programme.