Other

Decision Making in Child and Family Social Work

Clive Diaz · 12 Jun 2020

Summary

Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5-5

This book reports original research on how far parents and children take part in decisions when children's social workers are involved in England. It looks closely at two meetings: child protection conferences and child in care reviews. The research draws on interviews with children, parents, social workers, independent reviewing officers and senior managers in two local authorities. The authors argue that children cannot be safeguarded well unless their views are heard and acted on. They also consider how ten years of austerity has affected the child protection system.

Key points

Interviews were held with 75 children, 52 parents, 11 social workers, 8 independent reviewing officers and 7 senior managers.
The research was carried out in two local authorities in England.
Child protection conferences and child in care reviews are examined in depth.
Current practice often leaves children and parents feeling oppressed and excluded from decisions about their lives.
The book considers the impact of 10 years of austerity on the child protection system.

Limitations

Only a short promotional-style description is available, so the methods, detailed findings and how themes were analysed are not shown. The study covers two English local authorities, so results may not apply elsewhere.

Abstract

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.