Objects of Concern: Caring for Children during Care Proceedings

Abstract

This article is the second to look at the fifty-nine children who were made subject to care proceedings in one local authority area in the financial year 2004-05. It focuses on what happened to children during the proceedings and considers how well those responsible for their care during this time (the local authority and others involved in the court process) performed in terms of providing the children with parental care during the process. While the local authority in question performed well in relative terms, nevertheless, in respect of the duration of the process and the number of placement moves to which children were subjected, many of the children were subjected to a great deal of bewildering change, complex routines and large numbers of adults going in and out of their lives. The authors suggest that the process will tend to objectify children if it becomes too focused on decision making for the future, at the expense of thinking about their needs in the here and now. We conclude with some suggestions as to possible ways of improving things.

‘If kids don't feel safe they don't do anything’: young people's views on seeking and receiving help from Children's Social Care Services in England

“…In Munro's research, these included: ‘frequent changes of social worker, lack of effective voice at reviews, lack of confidentiality and, linked to this, lack of a confidante’ (Munro 2001, p. 129). Subsequent research studies, including our own study, have reiterated and confirmed these findings (Bell 2002; Leeson 2007, 2010; McLeod 2007, 2010; Beckett & McKeigue 2010; Rees et al . 2010; Cossar et al .…”

The education of children in care: a research review

“…The relevance for children in care is clear: many enter care after traumatic experiences. coming from socio‐economically stressed families and coming into care is itself often traumatic (Beckett and McKeigue, 2009).…”

“…The period while care proceedings are ongoing may be bewildering, so the first year in care may be particularly difficult (Beckett and McKeigue, 2009). Security, stability and a positive sense of self may be very difficult to achieve while care proceedings are in process.…”

Just Following Instructions? The Representation of Parents in Care Proceedings

“…This is not to say that different courts would have made different orders in any of the cases -it is not possible to make that judgment. However, the time taken to reach a decision does have a very substantial effect on the lives of the children concerned (Ward et al 2006;Beckett and McKeigue 2009) and on those of their parents. Parents also have quite different experiences in care proceedings, not simply related to their engagement in the process and the orders made in respect of their children but also the way they are represented and how the court hearing their case functions.…”