Parent Involvement Practices in Child Protection: A Matter of Know-How and Attitude

Abstract

Modern view of child protection services implies that to help young people, simply intervening on their behalf is not sufficient. It suggests that involving parents in the assistance process is essential in order to ensure that they are most likely to play their role as parents to their children in the fullest possible way. Although several articles have dealt with the issue of parent involvement, very few have attempted to document the practices used by practitioners to encourage such involvement. This article presents the findings of a study on child protection practices for involving parents in a child protection context. It is exploratory in nature, and uses a qualitative methodology. The study population is made up of 38 child protection service workers. An analysis of the practitioners' discourse reveals that the behaviour and attitudes used by them to encourage parent involvement are very diverse. There also appear to be key moments in securing their involvement, that is, making contact, setting objectives and means of action, and applying the case plan. In addition to corroborating earlier studies on the issue of parent involvement, our findings indicate that the majority of the caseworkers interviewed practice an approach that aims to empower clients.

Application d’une approche de médiation en protection de la jeunesse : qu’en pensent les intervenants ?

“…L'approche de médiation favorise une plus grande ouverture de la part des parents et un meilleur partage du pouvoir, ce qui est central pour l'engagement du parent dans le processus d'intervention (Saint-Jacques et al, 2006 ;De Boer et Coady, 2007).…”

“…Des recherches montrent que, malgré leurs idéaux et leurs valeurs, il peut être difficile pour les intervenants d'instaurer un tel partage dans le contexte d'une évaluation ou d'un suivi découlant d'allégations de mauvais traitement envers l'enfant (Saint-Jacques et al, 2006 ;Ney, Stoltz et Maloney, 2013). La ligne est mince entre le partage des préoccupations vis-à-vis de la sécurité de l'enfant et l'imposition des mesures pour assurer sa protection.…”

Parental Participation in Statutory Child Protection Intervention in Scotland

“…In part, this reflects a shift in thinking across western child protection systems which has recognised that active parental involvement in intervention is more likely to lead to better outcomes for children at risk of abuse and / or neglect (Saint-Jacques et al, 2006) and a repositioning of child protection practices within broader discourses of service user participation (Corby et al, 1996;Healy & Darlington, 2009). As a consequence, there has been a growth in the number of studies which have sought to explore parental experiences of statutory child protection intervention through a participatory lens.…”

Collaborative practice in statutory in child protection practice: Parental agreements and procedural justice

“…There is a large body of evidence that indicates that the active involvement of parents in child protection decision-making and intervention is important for meaningful change and positive outcomes (Gladstone et al, 2012(Gladstone et al, , 2014; Saint-Jacques, Drapeau, Lessard, & Beaudoin, 2006;Trotter, 2002). This is partnered with another body of literature that recognises that an over-focus on investigation, risk and coercive intervention in child protection work has resulted in negative experiences (Dale, 2004;Dumbrill, 2006;Harris, 2011D.Scott, 2009) and outcomes for families (Forrester, Westlake & Glynn, 2012;Munro, 2011;Platt, 2008;Turney, 2012).…”

“…These power differentials act as a source of fear and coercion for parents that may constrain their active and willing participation in IPA practice. Efforts to address parent fear during IPA practice should be prioritised, particularly given the evidence that indicates the active involvement of parents in decisions and interventions is important for positive change and outcomes in child protection (Saint-Jacques et al, 2006;Schene, 2005).…”