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The Home Office and the Department of Health have published joint guidance for agencies involved in managing complex child abuse investigations.

It focuses on issues highlighted in the Lost In Care report into child abuse in North Wales during the 1970s and 1980s, including access to records and information-sharing.

Home Office minister John Denham said he hoped the guidance would prove useful to the police and social services in dealing with difficult and sensitive investigations.

The guidance offers practical advice to social services and police on key inter-agency procedures, such as setting up and closing an investigation, and victim and witness support.

The document has been developed by an inter-agency working group, chaired by the Association of Chief Police Officers, which drew together the experiences of police, local authorities and voluntary organisations involved in complex child abuse investigations.

- For a copy call 020 7273 4545