Interconnected hands protect a child, symbolizing collaboration in child protection.

Protecting Our Young: When Professionals Consult on Child Abuse & Neglect

Samir D’Costa in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 5 min read.

"Uncover the critical role of inter-organizational consultation in safeguarding children, exploring professional preferences and factors that impact collaborative efforts."

Child abuse and neglect (CAN) is a global public health crisis with profound consequences on the mental and physical well-being of affected children, leading to long-term societal and economic burdens. Recognizing the critical importance of early intervention, professionals working with children and families are increasingly tasked with the responsibility of identifying and responding to potential cases of CAN. However, effectively addressing these complex situations often requires crossing organizational boundaries to seek consultation and share expertise.

Inter-organizational consultation, defined as a professional seeking input from another professional in a different organization regarding a shared client, plays a crucial role in assessing suspected CAN cases. This collaborative approach allows professionals to gather comprehensive information, verify concerns, reduce ambiguity, and ultimately make more informed decisions that prioritize the child's safety and well-being. In the Netherlands, a national reporting code encourages professionals to seek advice from local child protection services and obtain relevant information from other involved parties, with careful consideration for caregiver consent and the child's best interests.

Despite the recognized benefits of inter-organizational consultation, limited information exists regarding the preferences and experiences of professionals in this context. A recent study aimed to address this gap by exploring the consultation-seeking intentions, preferred consulting organizations, and factors influencing inter-organizational consultation among professionals working with young children in a Dutch city. By understanding these dynamics, organizations and local governments can better support collaborative efforts and strengthen child protection systems.

Key Findings: Preferences and Experiences in Inter-Organizational Consultation

Interconnected hands protect a child, symbolizing collaboration in child protection.

The study, conducted in Almelo, Netherlands, surveyed professionals from various sectors, including healthcare, social services, and preschool services. The findings revealed that a significant majority (71%) of respondents expressed an intention to seek consultation from professionals outside their own organizations when faced with a suspected CAN case. This highlights a general willingness among professionals to engage in collaborative problem-solving.

When asked about their preferred consulting organizations, respondents identified a diverse range of options, with preventive child healthcare emerging as the most popular choice (70% normalized in-degree centrality). General practice (43%), preschool services (37%), and the Advice and Reporting Center (35%) also ranked highly, suggesting a preference for organizations with established expertise in child development and well-being.

Support: The perceived level of assistance and backing received from the consultee.
Undertaking Action: The extent to which the consultee is proactive and takes action in response to the consultation.
Regard: The way in which the consultee reacts and demonstrates commitment to the case.
Accessibility: The ease and availability of contacting and engaging with the consultee.
Willingness to Cooperate: The consultee's readiness to collaborate and work together effectively.

While most experiences were positive, the study also identified potential barriers to inter-organizational consultation. These included concerns about privacy, potential consequences for the family, and a lack of familiarity with certain organizations. Addressing these barriers is crucial for fostering a more collaborative and effective child protection system.

Strengthening Collaboration for Child Protection

The findings of this study offer valuable insights for organizations and policymakers seeking to enhance inter-organizational consultation in child protection. By recognizing the preferences of professionals and addressing potential barriers, it is possible to create a more supportive and collaborative environment for safeguarding vulnerable children. Promoting awareness of different professional roles and fostering open communication can further improve collaborative ties.

The popularity of preventive child healthcare highlights the importance of accessible and trusted resources for professionals seeking consultation. Efforts to strengthen these services and promote their visibility within the broader child protection network are essential. Furthermore, addressing concerns related to privacy and potential consequences for families can help alleviate hesitation and encourage more open communication.

Future research should focus on exploring the specific reasons behind professionals' reluctance to consult with certain organization types and investigating the impact of inter-organizational consultation on actual child protection outcomes. By continuing to examine and refine collaborative practices, we can strive towards a more effective and responsive system that prioritizes the safety and well-being of all children.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.10.013, Alternate LINK

Title: Professionals’ Preferences And Experiences With Inter-Organizational Consultation To Assess Suspicions Of Child Abuse And Neglect

Subject: Psychiatry and Mental health

Journal: Child Abuse & Neglect

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Annemieke A.J. Konijnendijk, Magda M. Boere-Boonekamp, Maria E. Haasnoot, Ariana Need

Published: 2019-02-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is child abuse and neglect and why is it a critical concern?

Child abuse and neglect (CAN) is a widespread global public health crisis, profoundly affecting the mental and physical health of children. Early intervention is critical, and professionals, when faced with suspected cases, often seek inter-organizational consultation to make well-informed decisions. This consultation process involves professionals from different organizations collaborating to assess cases and prioritize a child's safety and well-being. It helps gather comprehensive information and reduce uncertainty. This is essential for building a strong foundation for a child's future.

What exactly is inter-organizational consultation, and why is it important?

Inter-organizational consultation is when a professional seeks input from another professional in a different organization concerning a shared client. This collaborative approach is crucial in situations where child abuse and neglect (CAN) is suspected. The process helps professionals gather comprehensive information, verify concerns, and reduce ambiguity. In the Netherlands, this is encouraged through a national reporting code. The goal is to ensure that decisions about a child's safety are based on complete and verified information. This collaboration is essential for protecting children from harm, and its significance lies in providing children with a safe and nurturing environment.

Which organizations are most often preferred for consultation?

The most preferred organizations for consultation, according to a study in Almelo, Netherlands, are preventive child healthcare (70%), general practice (43%), preschool services (37%), and the Advice and Reporting Center (35%). These organizations are popular choices because they have existing expertise in child development and well-being. This indicates that professionals value the knowledge and experience these organizations offer when addressing complex cases of potential child abuse and neglect. These choices reflect the importance of seeking advice from those with the most relevant knowledge and experience.

What factors contribute to effective consultation?

Several factors influence the effectiveness of inter-organizational consultation. These factors include the 'Support' provided by the consultee, which is the level of assistance and backing received. 'Undertaking Action,' is another, it refers to how proactive the consultee is. 'Regard', reflects the consultee's commitment to the case. Accessibility, the ease of contacting the consultee, also plays a role. Finally, 'Willingness to Cooperate,' which is how ready the consultee is to work together, is very important. Addressing these factors can create a more supportive and collaborative environment for protecting vulnerable children.

What are some potential challenges in the consultation process?

Some barriers to inter-organizational consultation include concerns about privacy, potential consequences for the family, and a lack of familiarity with other organizations. These barriers can hinder the process of seeking advice and sharing information. Addressing these concerns by promoting awareness of different professional roles and fostering open communication can improve collaboration among professionals. Overcoming these challenges will lead to more effective child protection systems, resulting in better outcomes for children.