註釋 It has long been known that children from black and mixed ethnic backgrounds are over-represented among children in care in England, and that Indian children tend to be under-represented. Less is known about why this might be the case, or about over- and under-representation of children during the different stages of risk assessment and child protection. This desk-based study investigates the differences between ethnic groups in their contact with child welfare services in England, and the possible reasons for this. Analyses were conducted on three national datasets - the Children in Need Census, children on the child protection register, and children looked after) - as well as case histories. Possible factors include professional attitudes, cultural attitudes and practices within families, placement availability, poverty and isolation, and service availability and appropriateness. 