National performance indicator: increase the overall proportion of local authority areas receiving positive child protection inspection reports

This literature review was commissioned by the Scottish Government through IRISS to synthesise research evidence to improve child protection practice, and in doing so help local authorities meet the national indicators. Studies since 2000 that address the areas identified in HMIE (2009a) undertaken in Scotland, or with clear applicability to a Scottish setting (e.g. recent non-Scottish UK studies with clear relevance to the National Indicators above and policy documents and expert opinion since 2000 with clear relevance to the Scottish context.Empirical studies of all methodological types were considered for inclusion but were subject to quality and relevance appraisal with a grading of one to three
given for both methodology and relevance (one being the highest grading, three
the lowest). The report explores policy context, a thematic analysis of evidence across all the national indicators and an annotated bibliography of the empirical studies used.