High risk infants in the children's court process in Australia: dilemmas and directions

Campbell, Lynda; Jackson, Alun C; Cameron, Nadine; H, Goodman; Smith, Serena

doi:10.1080/0964906032000113358

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…In Victoria, a highly adversarial system has developed in the Children's Court where decisions about family contact are made (Campbell et al . 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-frequency family contact: a road to nowhere for infants

Humphreys¹,

Kiraly

2010

Child &Amp; Family Social Work

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A B S T R AC TUnderstanding the practices which support the best interests of infants when placed in out-of-home care in the first year of life is a significant challenge. A study based in Victoria, Australia, explored the practice by the Children's Court of ordering high-frequency contact (4-7 days a week) with the infant's mother and father when they are placed in care in the first year of life. A literature review revealed little attention to the issue of frequency of family contact for infants. An audit of case files of all infants in care in mid-2007 showed that at 1 year follow-up, there was no difference in the reunification rate for children with a period of high-frequency contact and those with less contact with their mothers and fathers. Focus groups revealed deep divisions of opinion about high-frequency family contact which are played out in the adversarial Children's Court system in Victoria. The study highlights the complexity of understanding and supporting the attachment relationships at this critical period in the infant's life.

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“…In Victoria, a highly adversarial system has developed in the Children's Court where decisions about family contact are made (Campbell et al . 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-frequency family contact: a road to nowhere for infants

Humphreys¹,

Kiraly

2010

Child &Amp; Family Social Work

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“…Furthermore, legislation requires considerations of whether non-intervention ‘will lead to a future situation or risk for the child’ (CWA, 1992). This normative and prognostic instruction highlights the cruciality of procedural justice in child welfare that the County Board proceedings must adhere to (Eriksen & Skivenes, 1998). In sum, the analytical point of departure is that parents’ engagement in newborn care proceedings will counter CWS argumentation with varying degrees and constellations of three types of arguments – justifications, excuses and rationalizations .…”

Section: Analysing Parents’ Argumentsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…It is important to emphasize that what distinguishes newborn care orders is that they can be increasingly uncertain in facts and circumstances, as they often lack a 'track record against which parenting performance can be predicted' (Campbell et al, 2003). Newborn care proceedings are therefore not merely a question of identifying guilt for past grievances, assigning responsibilities, and measuring a proper response.…”

Section: Analysing Parents' Argumentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Asserting the right to care – Birth parents’ arguments in newborn care orders

Juhasz

2022

Journal of Social Work

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Removing a newborn from his or her birth parents’ care is arguably a stark display of state power into the family. This study explores birth parents’ engagement with care proceedings in all ( N = 177) newborn care orders in Norway between 2012 and 2016. The study asks which arguments parents use to assert their care rights, their focus, and whether arguments differ depending on the parents’ risks. Applying the defence dichotomy and seeing arguments as accounts, the analysis revealed parents primarily both justifying and excusing risks, and in two-thirds of cases rationalizing their care rights. Parents primarily denied harm and pinpointed (failed) service provision efforts, as well as excused their situation by claiming sufficient change and placing blame on i.e. child welfare services. Rationalizations did not defend parenting as such, but claimed normalcy and deservingness, as well as echoing concerns raised. Arguments were primarily parent- and service-focused. Parents with substance use risks blamed significantly less than parents with personality risks, and parents with intellectual disability risks demanded significantly more leeway as ‘new parents’ than parents with personality risks. The study reflects how a marginalized demographic similarly, comprehensively, and most often unsuccessfully, engages with the child welfare system. The arguments reveal both alignment and misalignment in understandings of acceptable state intervention and responsibilities. It points to the dire need for knowledge about parents’ actual understanding of child welfare services, as well as clear communication and feedback between parents, their legal counsel, and social workers in assessments and service provision.

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“…To improve the quality of CPS assessments within Victoria, Australia, the State Government funded the development and implementation of the Parenting Assessment and Skill Development Service (PASDS) in 1998 (Campbell et al, 2001). The aim of the initiative was to provide better services for infants and toddlers at risk of maltreatment, by (a) improving assessment practices within CPS and (b) funding child and family welfare organizations to conduct independent parenting capacity assessments to inform CPS and family court decision-making around child safety.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Different models of PASDS were implemented across several organizations including multiple-day residential and day stay services and in-home services. An initial evaluation of the PASDS initiative across all organizations was conducted in 2001 (Campbell et al, 2001). Although the mixed methods evaluation identified high levels of satisfaction with PASDS from stakeholders (e.g., PASDS providers and CPS workers), the marked variations between the PASDS models meant that an overall evaluation was difficult (Campbell et al, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A preliminary review of the parenting assessment and skill development service: A 10‐day residential service for families at risk of child maltreatment

Fogarty

Savopoulos

Jones³

et al. 2023

Child & Family Social Work

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Tweddle's Parenting Assessment and Skill Development Service (PASDS) is a 10‐day residential programme for families at risk of child maltreatment. The service aims to conduct a comprehensive parenting capacity assessment to inform case management and improve parenting practices. The aims of the study were to (1) describe the psychosocial functioning of parents taking part in PASDS, (2) describe the key parenting assessment outcomes, and (3) explore parents' experiences of participation in PASDS including (a) perceived barriers and enablers of participation and (b) perceived outcomes for their family. Participants were 18 parents who participated in Tweddle's PASDS in Melbourne, Australia. A mixed methods study comprising a case file review and qualitative interviews was conducted. Parents accessing PASDS had experienced adverse childhood events, and many were experiencing mental health difficulties. Interviews with parents revealed perceived benefits of PASDS in improving parenting knowledge and skills, family relationships, and parenting confidence. At the time of discharge, 33% of families were assessed as unable to provide independent care for their child. The current findings have important implications for the further evaluation of evidenced‐based services which can improve the accuracy of parenting capacity assessments, aiding in child protection decision‐making related to child placement and safety.

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High risk infants in the children's court process in Australia: dilemmas and directions

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

High-frequency family contact: a road to nowhere for infants

High-frequency family contact: a road to nowhere for infants

Asserting the right to care – Birth parents’ arguments in newborn care orders

A preliminary review of the parenting assessment and skill development service: A 10‐day residential service for families at risk of child maltreatment

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