Christmas without the kids: Losing children through the child protection system

Longitudinal research in Victoria is exploring the experience and support needs of birth parents’ and grandparents, children, permanent parents, teachers, social workers and therapists in situations where the children have been permanently removed from their birth families by the child protection system. The research is now halfway through its second three-year phase.This paper details the findings for ten birth parents, most of whom have been involved in the study for at least three years. The findings are presented through themes of loss, role, boundary, power and support. The research provides clues as to how professionals can offer support to these parents. What the parents want is little enough–for their stories to be heard without blame; to be consulted about their children’s future; and to be offered the possibility of meeting up with parents who have similar experiences.

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Decision Making in Child and Family Social Work

10.1332/policypress/9781447354444.001.0001 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Clive Diaz

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Social Workers ◽

Child Protection ◽

Protection System ◽

Senior Managers ◽

Policy And Practice ◽

Parents And Children ◽

Children And Parents ◽

Selling Point ◽

New Research

This book presents new research on the extent to which parents and children participate in decision making when childcare social workers are involved and it considers two key meetings in depth: child protection conferences and child in care reviews. There is currently a great deal of interest in how social workers can work more effectively with families and in particular give children a voice. There is also considerable public and media interest in the child protection system, in particular relating to how children are safeguarded by social workers. This book will argue that unless we listen to (and act upon whenever possible) the views of children it is very difficult to safeguard and offer them an effective service. The unique selling point of the book will be that it is based on original solid empirical research following interviews with multiple stakeholders across two local authorities in England including children (n=75), parents (n=52), social workers (n=11, independent reviewing officers (n=8) and senior managers (n=7). This book will consider how 10 years of austerity has impacted on the child protection system and it will have a particular focus on how current practice leads to children and parents often feeling oppressed and excluded in decision making about their lives. The book promises to be authoritative and informed on issues on the ground and very relevant to both policy and practice.

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Trans-Manche Partnerships

Adoption & Fostering ◽

10.1177/030857599401800304 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 17-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rachael Hetherington

Keyword(s):

Social Workers ◽

Child Protection ◽

Pilot Project ◽

Protection System

What makes one country's child protection system different from another? Rachael Hetherington describes a pilot project which looks at the different approaches adopted by English and French social workers in their child protection work, and in particular to how they work ‘in partnership’ with parents.

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Challenges and experiences faced by social workers working with children exposed to abuse and neglect

Open Science Journal ◽

10.23954/osj.v6i1.2692 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Keneth Tumwesigye

Keyword(s):

Child Abuse ◽

Child Welfare ◽

Social Workers ◽

Social Services ◽

Child Protection ◽

Child Abuse And Neglect ◽

Protection System ◽

Whole Child ◽

Abuse And Neglect ◽

Supportive Practice

Child abuse and neglect are the most disturbing problems in the field of child welfare. In the area of child welfare, all over the world, it is common social workers engaged with children such as psychologists; nurses and pediatrician are often affected while carrying out their respective duties. The study is intended to explore the dynamic problems such social workers experience in their line of duty. The issue of social workers engaging with children exposed to child abuse and neglect require much attention and it has to be addressed in line with the child protection system. The child protection system is one of the frameworks of the whole child welfare which provide social services to children exposed to abuse and neglect. In the field of child welfare, different social workers for example pediatricians, psychologists etc work together in assessing children in relation to abuse and neglect. Therefore, this study showcases the need for supportive practice for social workers in the field of child protection to work together. Key Words: Child protection, Social worker, Child abuse and neglect,

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