'Whenever a child is deliberately injured or killed, there is inevitably great concern in case some important tell-tale sign has been missed. Those who sit in judgment often do so with the great benefit of hindsight'.

Lord Lamming, The Victoria Climbi Inquiry (Cmd 5730, 2003) 3.

With reference to relevant case law and academic commentary, discuss the balance local authorities and courts must find between protecting children experiencing or at risk of harm and respecting parents' right to family life.