When children are looked after in public care it is critical that they remain free from abuse. Understanding the safety of such children is important both to the child’s well-being and to the continued improvement of the care system. This article explores the research relating to the safety of young children in care and reports on a five-year follow-up study of 228 New Zealand children who entered care when under two years of age in 2005. Based on re-notification data, the study found that the majority of children were identified as being safe in care. As the research was undertaken in New Zealand, the article also provides an example of how services can respond to evidence about child development while maintaining sensitivity to local circumstances.
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