21 October 2026: SERENA Findings Featured at Local Stakeholder Webinar on Post-Child Abuse Service Access

The 21st October 2026, the SERENA project team at Cardiff University will present emerging findings from an all-Wales qualitative case study and an associated European literature review during a Welsh stakeholder webinar hosted by ExChange Wales.

Introduction

This study aims to examine experiences of accessing and delivering services for children who experienced maltreatment across three European contexts characterised by different social and health systems. It will comparatively analyse qualitative evidence from these settings to accelerate efforts to improve access to health and social care services for children who have experienced neglect, or physical, sexual, or emotional maltreatment.  

Methods and analysis

The study draws upon lived and professional experience of health and social care services for children who have experienced maltreatment in Bourgogne Franche-Comté (France), Denmark, and Wales. Semi-structured interviews are being  conducted with (1) adults who experienced maltreatment as children, and (2) health, social care and other relevant professionals who work to support children who have experienced maltreatment.  

These three case study settings were selected with the aim of exploring differences and similarities in access to, and barriers within, post-maltreatment services, as well as the quality of these services, and the influence of the systemic and ecological contexts in which they operate. Qualitative analysis will be conducted within each country-specific study and cross-cutting themes will form the basis of a comparative analysis across all three locations. 

Relevance to SERENA and Stakeholders

The upcoming webinar offers a key opportunity to share emerging results from the Welsh qualitative study alongside broader European findings with key practice and policy stakeholders.

By detailing research methods, public involvement efforts, and future project plans, this presentation aims to foster dialogue around removing access barriers and improving support systems for vulnerable children both locally in Wales and across the broader SERENA network.