Exploring dominant child protection discourses: new possibilities for practice

This research study focuses on attachment theory as a dominant discourse in child protection and the experiences of child protection workers. The literature on attachment theory and its influence on Eurocentric/Western knowledge is reviewed. As well, the use of reflective practice in child protection practice is discussed. This study includes qualitative interviews with three child protection workers in Southern Ontario who discuss their practice. Four emerging themes were derived from the narratives of the participants: recognition of attachment theory as being the pinnacle of child protection practice, use of observation as a tool to assess attachment, use of reflective practice and lastly, the stigma of Children’s Aid Society and impacts on practice. The findings in this study suggest how practice is led by policies and standards of the child welfare system and is rarely challenged. The need for the child welfare system to validate parent/child beliefs, values and practices from various ethnicities is discussed.

Exploring dominant child protection discourses: new possibilities for practice

This research study focuses on attachment theory as a dominant discourse in child protection and the experiences of child protection workers. The literature on attachment theory and its influence on Eurocentric/Western knowledge is reviewed. As well, the use of reflective practice in child protection practice is discussed. This study includes qualitative interviews with three child protection workers in Southern Ontario who discuss their practice. Four emerging themes were derived from the narratives of the participants: recognition of attachment theory as being the pinnacle of child protection practice, use of observation as a tool to assess attachment, use of reflective practice and lastly, the stigma of Children’s Aid Society and impacts on practice. The findings in this study suggest how practice is led by policies and standards of the child welfare system and is rarely challenged. The need for the child welfare system to validate parent/child beliefs, values and practices from various ethnicities is discussed.

A hairy situation: child protection workers experiences providing hair care to African Canadian children in care

This research explores the experiences of Child Protection Workers regarding Black youth hair maintenance while in care, as hair is a significant identity marker for Black children. Additionally, it is important to understand the rights and responsibilities of the child protection workers, foster parents, biological parents and outside paid resources, as they all play different, but vital roles in a child’s life. The training that child welfare agencies provide and community resources will also be discussed. I began the study by providing an overview of the literature on the topics of Black hair and responsibilities of the child welfare agencies. A critical race theory framework will deepen the understanding of racism intertwined with hair; as well as exploring terms such as organization, whiteness and cultural competency. A narrative approach was used as the methodology and detailed within the findings section. The study found that there was inconsistency within the agency together with lack of resources to be used in the community.

A hairy situation: child protection workers experiences providing hair care to African Canadian children in care

This research explores the experiences of Child Protection Workers regarding Black youth hair maintenance while in care, as hair is a significant identity marker for Black children. Additionally, it is important to understand the rights and responsibilities of the child protection workers, foster parents, biological parents and outside paid resources, as they all play different, but vital roles in a child’s life. The training that child welfare agencies provide and community resources will also be discussed. I began the study by providing an overview of the literature on the topics of Black hair and responsibilities of the child welfare agencies. A critical race theory framework will deepen the understanding of racism intertwined with hair; as well as exploring terms such as organization, whiteness and cultural competency. A narrative approach was used as the methodology and detailed within the findings section. The study found that there was inconsistency within the agency together with lack of resources to be used in the community.

Australian Foster Carers’ Views and Concerns Regarding Maternal Drug Use and the Safety of Breastmilk

Parental substance misuse and mental health issues are major factors associated with infant placement into out-of-home care. Such placements may result in disruption and/or cessation of breastfeeding. Provision of breastmilk to infants in out-of-home care (OOHC) is desirable in terms of infant health and development, and also in supporting maternal caregiving. However, little is known about how breastfeeding is supported for infants in out-of-home care. This study used an online survey to explore the facilitation of breastfeeding in the context of OOHC and foster carers’ management of expressed breastmilk (EBM). Foster carers were generally open to the idea of maternal breastfeeding and infants in their care receiving EBM from their mothers. However, the majority of respondents expressed concern regarding the safety of EBM for infant consumption due to the possibility of harmful substances in the milk. Concerns regarding the safety of handling EBM were also prevalent. These concerns caused foster carers to discard EBM. Findings suggest foster carers’ may lack knowledge related to maternal substance use and breastmilk. Better integration between health care and social service systems, where the voices of mothers, foster carers and child protection workers are heard, is necessary to develop solutions enabling infants living in OOHC access to their mother’s breastmilk.

Conclusion

This final chapter affirms the importance of listening to women’s experiences when considering how legal responses to intimate partner violence might be improved to make women safe. The chapter reviews key themes identified in the book, including abusers’ use of the legal system to continue abuse and the role of child protection workers, police, lawyers, and judges in facilitating that abuse. It highlights a common and continuing failure of those who work in the legal system to recognize the significance of nonphysical abuse, to persistently misunderstand the dynamics of separation and ultimately, to fail to prioritize safety. This chapter makes recommendations for law and policy reform toward making the legal system safer.

Interacting With the Child Protection Service

This chapter focuses on the women’s interaction with child protection workers and he child protection system in the context of intimate partner violence (IPV). Many women who have experienced IPV have contact with child protection services (CPS); some contact CPS seeking help, and others are investigated by CPS as a result of IPV and complaints made about their mothering. Three key themes are explored in this chapter. Women felt they were held to account by CPS workers for their ex-partner’s IPV. A number of women reported that their partners made malicious allegations to CPS about them, leading to lengthy and stressful investigations that resulted in no concerns being found about their mothering. Some women’s experiences highlighted the complex experience of IPV, intergenerational trauma, and CPS involvement.

Introduction

This introductory chapter explains the emphasis of this book, which is about how women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) interact with the legal system over time. It explains the importance of the law to many women across the world who experience IPV. The chapter identifies the legal systems that women interact with, including civil protection orders, family law, criminal law, child protection systems, and immigration law. In talking about their experience with law, women focus on their relationships with different justice actors on their legal journey, including child protection workers, police, lawyers, and judges. This focus explains the structure of the book. This chapter also considers the importance of women’s stories in informing law reform.