Displaying 1 - 10 of 13
Summary
This report presents the findings from a mixed-methods evaluation of peer parental advocacy (PPA) in the London Borough of Camden. PPA is a form of peer advocacy whereby parents with lived experience of child protection support other parents to navigate and engage with the process. Research evidence suggests that parents can find the child protection system to be difficult, stigmatising and authoritarian. Proponents of PPA suggest that it has the potential to promote shared decision-making, improve relationships between social services professionals and families, and enable…
Abstract
Research focused on relationships and contact with birth family for children and young people who were separated from them as infants has rarely acknowledged the emotional and dynamic nature of such interactions. Curiosity has been dominant in adoption research. However, in our longitudinal study of young people who entered care at a young age, a range of other feelings and combination of feelings emerged in the youths’ narratives, including contentment and mixed feelings such as anger, affection, loss, guilt, or worry. Type of placement, that is, whether the young people had been…
Abstract: Most countries operate procedures to safeguard children, including removal from parents in serious cases. In England, care applications and numbers have risen sharply, however, with wide variations not explained by levels of socio-economic deprivation alone. Drawing on extensive research, it is asserted that actuarial decision tools more accurately estimate risks to children and are needed to achieve consistency, transparency, and best outcomes for children. To date, however, child protection has not achieved gains made within comparable professions through statistical methods. The…
Abstract: This article presents data from the first large-scale study of fathers involved in repeat (or recurrent) care proceedings in England. The project complements important research on mothers and recurrence. It consisted of three elements: an analysis of population-level administrative data from the Child and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS), a survey of fathers in pre-proceedings and care proceedings, and a qualitative longitudinal (QL) study of recurrent fathers. Here we report findings from the survey and the QL study, offering an expanded definition and…
Privacy and confidentiality in the Children’s Hearings System have always been paramount. However, anecdotally it was felt that more work needed to be done to ensure people’s voices are respected and treated in confidence. In order to fully understand the relationship between privacy and confidentiality in the Children’s Hearings System, this research explored three broad questions: (1) How privacy and confidentiality impact on the participation of young people and their parents and carers in the Children’s Hearings System, (2) What is the relationship between advocacy and privacy and…
According to this report, children of prisoners in the UK are an "'invisible’ group – currently, children are not systematically identified or assessed when a parent goes to prison." The report aims to improve understanding of:
- Who this ‘invisible’ group of children is
- The extent, nature and root causes of their poorer outcomes
- How a whole family approach can be used to improve outcomes for children and parents and what needs to change
This blog post was written by Taliah Drayak, parent with lived experience of child protection, parent advocate and founder of Scots Mums Guide to Safeguarding and Child Protection and Andy Bilson retired professor of social work. It describes the benefits of parent advocacy for parents involved in the child protection system and includes a letter of thanks written by Taliah Drayak to her advocate.
Abstract
This article discusses the results of the first Scottish survey of parents’ experiences of child protection. It begins with what we already know. Parents are poorly served by existing child protection processes. Parents are not heard and judged, they feel threatened, and speak of feeling punished and harmed. We also know that these experiences give rise to anger and cynicism. Parents, especially mothers, feel their identity questioned and undermined. Suspicion of parents is endemic. ‘Us and them’ is a regular refrain relating to parents and social workers.
The survey results…
Introduction
Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, over the next few months, all of us will be practicing social distancing or will have to self-isolate. This will lead to significantly reduced physical interactions with people we love and care about.
The importance of your child’s welfare must take priority over everything during this crisis. You may be worried about your child and desperately missing visiting them but you, your child, their carer, social workers, and other family members must follow government Coronavirus guidance on staying at home and social distancing.
Maintaining…
Abstract
Child protection case conferences (CPCCs) are a fundamental part of child protection processes within the United Kingdom. They provide a mechanism for professionals and families to share information, enter an assessment dialogue, and develop a plan for intervention and support. The participation of parents is a core feature of U.K. and Scottish CPCCs. This reflects an international trend that recognizes the rights of family members to participate in the decision‐making processes of child protection. This article reports on the analysis of 11 qualitative interviews with parents who…