Accidents and Child Development

Every year, some two million children are seen at hospital Accident and Emergency Units after suffering an unintentional injury. Around 250 children die each year as the result of accidents. These stark facts give an indication of how great a challenge parents, carers and practitioners face in trying to keep children safe.

An increasing focus on early years learning, development and care brings new opportunities to safeguard children, to promote their safety, health and well-being, and to support parents, carers and practitioners in their day-to-day work with children in many different settings.

This guide addresses particular issues related to child safety and focuses on the actual experiences of field workers. Its aim is to share the experiences of practitioners with a wider audience so that effective interventions can be publicised, so that common pitfalls can be avoided.