ASSESSMENT FOR CHILD ABUSE: A SCOPING REVIEW OF CURRENT PRACTICES AND NEEDS

Abstract

Child abuse remains a critical global concern with increasing attention given to risks within childcare settings. However, limited evidence exists regarding the suitability of current assessment tools in identifying mental health-related risk factors for child abuse, particularly among childcare workers. This study aimed to map existing assessment tools used to evaluate child abuse risk and examine how mental health and well-being are operationalised within these measures. A scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and guided by the Arksey and O’Malley framework. Four primary databases (Scopus, PubMed, ERIC, and PsycINFO) and supplementary sources were searched, yielding 12 studies for inclusion in the final synthesis. Data were analysed to identify assessment tools and categorised into five outcome domains: well-being, cognitive/emotional, behavioural, interpersonal/social, and child abuse. The findings indicate that assessment practices are largely dominated by a limited range of instruments, particularly the Brief Child Abuse Potential Inventory (BCAP). Mental health is primarily measured through psychological constructs such as stress, anxiety, and depression, while behavioural and interpersonal dimensions are less consistently assessed. Furthermore, most tools are developed within parent-based contexts, with limited applicability to professional childcare workers. This review highlights a significant gap in context-specific assessment approaches and underscores the need for more comprehensive and adaptable tools that integrate psychological, behavioural, and contextual factors. Future research should focus on developing and validating assessment frameworks tailored to childcare settings to support early risk identification and promote safer caregiving environments.