Joint Agencies Child Abuse Team (JACAT)

Are you a professional frustrated by not knowing how best to help children and young people who have been abused? Do you worry about the absence of support to professionals who work with abused children and their families?

Are you a foster carer or adoptive parent struggling to bring up children who have been abused? Do you need to know when therapy can help, or when it is not indicated, for such children? If so, JACAT's new book can help you.

'Delivering evidence-based therapeutic support to children and families: messages of hope from an inter-agency team working with families affected by abuse' Edited by Ann Catchpole, Russell House Publishing ISBN:1-903855-85-3. The book encompasses therapeutic approaches in areas such as adoption, disability and family work with case studies to illustrate the work that practitioners will find a good resource.

"This book deserves to sit in every office where the effect of abuse on children is dealt with, by whatever discipline." Enquiries from the Publishers or JACAT on (01392) 410335.

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This team is jointly funded by Devon Social Services and the Health Service (Royal Devon and Exeter Healthcare NHS Trust)

Who can use it?

Any professional working in these areas who comes into contact with children

What area does JACAT serve?

Exeter, East Devon & Mid Devon

What we hope to achieve

The highest possible standards of therapeutic work with our clients
A steady improvement in the handling
of child abuse issues
The wider dissemination of information regarding child abuse
Better support for workers in the area
A heightened general awareness of the complexities of working in this field

How do I use it?

Non-urgent matters and appointments for consultation are dealt with by the Team Secretary on 01392 403271. Referrals
for case work should be sent to JACAT on the appropriate referral forms. Please note that such referrals can only be made by social services or health employees.

What must I not use JACAT for?

JACAT must not be used to report allegations of child abuse. These must be referred to those authorities with the power to investigate: the Police, Social Services or the NSPCC.

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