IN JANUARY 1973, THE NSPCC AND THE SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT JOINTLY ESTABLISHED A SPECIAL UNIT IN THE CITY OF MANCHESTER, STAFFED BY SOCIAL WORK SPECIALISTS IN CHILD ABUSE, SUPPORTED BY CONSULTANTS IN PEDIATRICS AND PSYCHIATRY. ITS MAIN FUNCTIONS ARE TO: (1) PROVIDE SOCIAL WORK SERVICES FOR FAMILIES REFERRED WHEN NONACCIDENTAL INJURY IS KNOWN OR THOUGHT TO HAVE OCCURRED; (2) PROVIDE CONSULTATION AND DISCUSSION OF SUCH CASES WITH THE AIM OF PROMOTING GOOD PRACTICE AMONG SOCIAL WORKERS AND HEALTH AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL; (3) MAINTAIN A CENTRAL CASE REGISTER OF ALL SUSPECTED CASES OF NONACCIDENTAL INJURY TO CHILDREN; (4) COORDINATE SERVICES WITHIN THE CITY OF MANCHESTER; (5) UNDERTAKE RESEARCH INTO THE PROBLEM; AND (6) PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THE PROFESSIONS AND TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM. THE UNIT CONSIDERS ONLY THOSE CASES IN WHICH THE CHILD IS UNDER 16; HE OR SHE HAS IN INJRY, AND IS THOUGHT TO BE AT RISK OF FURTHER INJURY; AND THE NATURE OF THE INJURY IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE PARENTS' ACCOUNT OF HOW IT HAPPENED. SINCE THE UNIT CAN HANDLE ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF CASES, IT PROVIDES CONSULTATION SERVICE TO THE HOSPITAL, SOCIAL SERVICES, AND POLICE PERSONNEL TO PROMOTE INFORMED ATTITUDES AND COOPERATION AMONG ALL AGENCIES. THE CENTRAL CASE REGISTER SERVES TO COORDINATE INFORMATION FROM THE WIDE RANGE OF MEDICAL AND SOCIAL WORK PERSONNEL WHO MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH ABUSED CHILDREN. THIS INFORMATION IS GIVEN VOLUNTARILY. AS ENGLAND HAS NO LAW REQUIRING THE REPORTING OF SUSPECTED CASES OF CHILD ABUSE. THE MAIN VALUE OF THIS REGISTER IS IN THE IDENTIFICATION OF MULTIPLE ABUSE WITHIN THE SAME FAMILY, EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAM, AS WELL AS AN AID TO THE DIAGNOSIS OF ABUSE. THE UNIT HAS DEVELOPED A BOOKLET OF PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES GIVING ADVICE ON THE STEPS TO BE TAKEN WHEN NONACCIDENTAL INJURY IS SUSPECTED. ONCE A CASE IS REFERRED TO THE UNIT, A CASE CONFERENCE IS HELD WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER ALL THOSE WHO CAN PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHILD AND THE FAMILY OR WHO HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CHILD'S HEALTH AND SAFETY AND FOR PROVIDING SERVICES. THIS IS DESIGNED TO COORDINATE ALL CONCERNED PARTIES' EFFORTS. A MONITORING SERVICE IS DESIGNED TO TEST WHETHER COMMUNICATION IS OCCURRING BETWEEN KEY AGENCIES INVOLVED, ASSESS THE STATUS OF THE CASE, AND JUDGE WHETHER ANY ADDITIONAL ACTION IS REQUIRED. APPENDIXES PROVIDE: (1) THE FORM FOR REPORTING CASES OF SUSPECTED ABUSE; (2) THE GUIDE FOR COMPLETING THE REGISTER RECORD OF A SUSPECTED CASE; (3) THE UNIT'S GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF CASES; AND (4) AN OUTLINE OF SIGNS WHICH MAY INDICATE CHILD ABUSE. (VDA)