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Disguised compliance: learning from case reviews

Summary of risk factors and learning for improved practice around families and disguised compliance

Publication date November 2019

Disguised compliance involves parents and carers appearing to co-operate with professionals in order to allay concerns and stop professional engagement (Reder et al, 1993)1.

This can mean that social workers and other practitioners may be unaware of what is happening in a child’s life and the risks they face may be unknown to local authorities.

This briefing focuses on learning from published case reviews from 2014 onwards that involve disguised compliance.

Learning from these case reviews highlights the importance of:

  • social workers and other practitioners being able to recognise disguised compliance when working with families
  • being aware of what actions to take in situations where they suspect parents or carers of disguised compliance.

References

Reder, P., Duncan, S.and Gray, M. (1993) Beyond blame: child abuse tragedies revisited. London: Routledge.
Disguised compliance: learning from case reviews
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Our series of thematic briefings highlight the learning from case reviews conducted when a child dies, or is seriously harmed, as a result of abuse or neglect. Each briefing focuses on a different topic or learning for specific sectors, pulling together key risk factors and practice recommendations.

 

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Looking for more research and resources?

Our Library and Information Service provides quick and easy access to the latest information, research and resources on child abuse, child neglect and child protection to help you keep children and young people safe. Find out more