Why is history important at moments of transition? The case of ‘transformation’ of Irish child welfare via the new Child and Family Agency

Abstract

This paper provides a critical commentary on researching social work in transition to make the case for why history is important at crucial moments of change. The present transition of child protection and welfare practice from a Health Services Executive Structure to an Independent Child and Family Agency (Tusla) is focused on for illustration. This development signifies a major transition of services within the country influenced by a number of factors, most notably a number of high profile cases of child abuse within institutions in the past and child deaths/neglect cases in the present. In particular, a discourse of prevention, early intervention and the promotion of children's rights are most dominant in light of a quest to purge the mistakes of the past. Supported by a history of the present approach, the author argues that while the existence of a 'discursive shift' typified by the establishment of an independent agency is arguably conclusive, the evidence of changes in practice, culture and underpinning analytical approaches is much more vague and complex. The paper concludes with reflections on implications for a wider European and global context and a call for the need for more critically informed approaches to history to inform present transformations.

Child protection and family support practice in Ireland: a contribution to present debates from a historical perspective

“…For those within Tusla, social workers and social care workers also share a common challenge and opportunity (McGregor, ) to be involved in the process of transformation of a child welfare system towards a parenting, prevention and family support ethos, underpinned by a children's rights perspective and a holistic approach. This ethos has to take account of the requirement of a clear forensic demarcated child protection system and a clear universal support system for children and families.…”

“…They document how the classic core functions of balancing care and control in child welfare interventions as documented by Donzelot in 1979, still persist Donzelot, 1979 Considering Ireland as a country specific case, Shannon (2009) noted a similar trend as is evident internationally, arguing that: 'Ireland seems to be straddling both the child protection system and a family support system with a large amount of inconsistency throughout the jurisdiction' (p.x). For the most part though, the system tends to be debated with a focus either on child protection and welfare (Buckley, 2003;Ferguson, 2011;Buckley & Burns, 2015;McGregor, 2014) children in care (Moran et al, 2016) or family support (Canavan et al, 2016;Devaney, 2011). The Hardiker four level model of intervention has been developed over time as a means for setting thresholds and framing the service delivery model in Ireland.…”

Interfacing informal and formal help systems: Historical pathways to the Meitheal model

“…The question of how best to intervene with families where children or young people are in need or potentially at risk is one which has a long reach outwards and backwards in that it is a matter of global (see, for instance, Gilbert et al, 2011) and local historical concern (see, for example, McGregor, 2014). Most often this question is constructed in terms of how best to balance child protection and family support services and, indeed, this important consideration is ongoing (see, for example, Buckley & Burns, 2015;Parton, 2014).…”

“…Even then, space for more emphasis on early intervention and prevention continued to be limited during the following few decades. The reasons for this are complex and elucidated extensively elsewhere (see, for example, Buckley, 2003;Burns, 2012;Ferguson, 1996;Gilligan, 1995;McGregor, 2014). One major factor was the impact of a range of inquiries into different dimensions of the service.…”

“…Within this, it is necessary to ensure that the complex, and often politically charged, process of service development relating to children and families is recognised. The historical viewpoint is instructive in this regard (McGregor, 2014).…”