This study explored the experiences of 42 families in three Local Authorities in Northern England in 2009. Out of the families involved, 25 highlighted domestic abuse and mental health issues, and 21 identified drug or alcohol issues as impacting negatively on their parenting. Most parents had positive experiences of help with drug / alcohol issues, and many were motivated to overcome their problems by a desire to continue (or resume) looking after their children. Parents experiencing domestic abuse or allegations of child sexual abuse were less positive. Parents had a clear understanding of the responsibilities of Child Protection social workers. Three-quarters of families were able to identify positive qualities in the professionals who supported them; they had a positive view of inter-agency communication. They did not expect an equal role in decision making. Parents' and professionals' views tended to converge over time.Absorbing information at the start of the process was difficult for many parents. Most found Case Conferences daunting and intimidating, and reports often reached them too late. Parents were critical of assessments using a deficit model; they received too little therapeutic help for themselves and their children.

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This paper presents the findings of research about children's participation in child protection processes. Research was undertaken with young people who had recent involvement with safeguarding professionals. The study explored children's lived experience and perspectives and found that children feel capable of making a contribution, however, they are frustrated by experiences of exclusion and inequality and the limitations of their ability to influence process and outcomes. The study further explored the perspectives of practitioners. Whilst professional commitment to child‐centred practice and effective safeguarding is unequivocal, the discourse of participation is characterised by ‘yes, but’. Insights emerged from the different voices and competing narratives of the central protagonists in the child protection process: children, social workers, chairs of case conferences and advocates. This paper examines how the child's right to involvement in safeguarding processes is understood and contributes to the evolving discourse about the importance of children's participation.

The Children, Young People and Families module was developed at Leeds Metropolitan University, UK in 2004. The module is jointly taught to community health and social work students with the active involvement of a Barnardo's Young People's Group. This module was developed in direct response to the challenges of the UK Every Child Matters policy agenda highlighting the importance of partnership and participation as the bedrock of effective practice in integrated children's services. For the writers, a commitment to the value base of social work means that it is not enough to lecture about child‐centred practice, children's rights and the importance of participation, without modelling these principles in our practice as educators. This article outlines key aspects of the module and its delivery, including the authors’ learning from partnership work with the Young People's Group. The work is evaluated drawing on student feedback and findings from an evaluation exercise carried out with the young people.

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