How Do Child Welfare Workers Understand and Practice Child Participation?

This study explores how child welfare workers in Norway understand and practise child participation across different phases of child welfare work, including assessment, supportive measures, and out-of-home placements. Researchers interviewed 24 child welfare employees and identified two main forms of participation: indirect participation where children are observed or communicate through other professionals, and direct participation where children speak directly to workers. The study found that workers' understandings of child participation shape what forms of participation are offered and how children are positioned within the system. The researchers argue that child welfare systems need more nuanced approaches to participation and greater awareness of how different contexts affect children's opportunities to participate.

Key points

• Two distinct forms of child participation were identified: indirect participation (child observed or communicating through others) and direct participation (child speaking directly to worker)
• Topics of conversations with children fall into two categories: general everyday life topics and child welfare-related topics about the case and child's situation
• Workers' understandings of child participation fundamentally shape what forms and content of participation are offered to children
• Children are assigned different positions in the participation process, ranging from primary participant in direct interaction to being represented or observed by adults
• The study argues for more nuanced understanding of child participation and increased awareness of how different forms and contexts affect participation opportunities

Limitations

This qualitative study based on worker focus groups captures only how workers understand and report their practices, not direct observation of actual participation with children or children's own perspectives on their participation experiences. The findings are specific to the Norwegian child welfare system and may not generalise to other contexts.