Working ethically in child protection

Lonne, Bob; Harries, Maria; Featherstone, Brid; Gray, Mel

doi:10.11157/anzswj-vol28iss3id252

Cited by 5 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…We draw from analyses and innovations that have been undertaken, or are in progress, across a range of countries (see Lonne et al, 2009;2016). But we also draw loosely from a framework that has not hitherto been used in this area of work: the social model.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Let’s stop feeding the risk monster: towards a social model of ‘child protection’

Featherstone

Gupta

Morris

et al. 2018

Families, Relationships and Societies

Self Cite

100

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This article explores how the child protection system currently operates in England. It analyses how policy and practice has developed, and articulates the need for an alternative approach. It draws from the social model as applied in the fields of disability and mental health, to begin to sketch out more hopeful and progressive possibilities for children, families and communities. The social model specifically draws attention to the economic, environmental and cultural barriers faced by people with differing levels of (dis)ability, but has not been used to think about ‘child protection’, an area of work in England that is dominated by a focus on risk and risk aversion. This area has paid limited attention to the barriers to ensuring children and young people are cared for safely within families and communities, and the social determinants of much of the harms they experience have not been recognised because of the focus on individualised risk factors.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Let’s stop feeding the risk monster: towards a social model of ‘child protection’

Featherstone

Gupta

Morris

et al. 2018

Families, Relationships and Societies

Self Cite

100

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Similarly, CPW are part of a system which may result in instances where children are exposed to systems abuse, and poor life outcomes (Lonne et al, 2015). The ability to contextualise and rationalise one's role in this context can be difficult.…”

Section: The Value Of Reflective Constructs To Resiliencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Where the cultural context enabled CPW to hold a view of clients that acknowledged their circumstances and recognised their humanity, supported the ability to engage with clients, and rather than perceive client anger and aggression as a personal affront, this was likely to better support resilience. This ability to maintain an abiding empathy to support meaningful engagement (Lonne, Harries, Featherstone, & Gray, 2015) in the face of significant challenges, through client anger and aggression, were important to resilience. A loss of empathy or perception of clients as being personally threatening to the individual rather than reacting to the professional and statutory role of the CPW was identified as likely to challenge resilience.…”

Section: Resilience In Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similar to many other jurisdictions child protection services in Queensland have difficulties in recruiting and retaining skilled staff, impacting clients, carer families, and relationships across agencies (Flower, MacDonald, & Sumski, 2005;HCSWC, 2013;Lonne, Harries, Featherstone & Gray, 2015).…”

Section: Issues In the Contemporary Child Protection Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The value of relationally-based approaches in child protection organisations and practice, have been promoted in recent years (Collins, 2007;CPCOI, 2013;Lonne et al, 2015;Munro, 2011). Recent moves to implement new practice frameworks in Queensland (Queensland Government, 2015), aligns with recent approaches in other jurisdictions, both nationally and internationally (Keddell, 2014), moving towards more relationally-based approaches.…”

Section: A Relational Conceptualisation Of Resiliencementioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Witnessing resilience: resilience of child protection workers in Queensland

Russ¹

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Statutory child protection has a reputation for being a crisis-driven, reactive and complex system that responds to the wicked problem of child abuse and neglect. In this context there is evidence of long term workforce issues with recruitment difficulties and high turnover rates. The impact of this work not only at an organisational level but also at an individual level is acknowledged in the literature, with workers being exposed to a range of emotional and psychological challenges. Child protection workers (CPW) commonly face significant adversity such as threats, assaults and high levels of exposure to traumatic material exposing them to both direct and vicarious trauma on an acute, cumulative and chronic basis. Research suggests high rates of burnout and vicarious traumatisation in CPW with resultant effects including individual impacts with consequent impacts on turnover.Although exposed to chronic and cumulative adversity many CPW continue to operate effectively for extended period in this field. The predominant focus of previous research on the effects of this work context on CPW and the workforce has been aligned with psychopathology focusing on the distress experienced and the negative impacts.Resilience is considered to be a normal and more likely outcome for the majority of individuals following an adverse experience. While resilience is a concept which is consistently considered in the field of child protection where it relates to children, little consideration has been given to the resilience of CPW. Resilient CPW are likely to continue in the field for extended periods and provide effective services. This indicates there is benefit in examining the resilience of CPW. Given the limited research on worker resilience, particularly in the field of child protection, there is benefit in seeking to better understand the experiences of CPW as it relates to the development and maintenance of their resilience.Drawing on social constructionism as a theoretical framework, this study explored the understandings and experiences of resilience for CPW. The study considered how frontline CPW, who self-identified as resilient, understood their own resilience, the resilience of other staff, and the contributors to resilience in this adverse context. Semistructured, in-depth interviews were conducted with CPW on two occasions over a period of approximately thirteen months using a reflective approach to gain a deeper understanding of resilience and what affects resilience in this difficult work environment.The understanding of how CPW perceive and experience resilience gained through the study provides insights into how they develop and maintain an ability to work effectively when challenged with ongoing traumatic exposure. The study builds on the understanding of the process of resilience and poses a theoretical model that enhances current understandings of resilience. Although there are limitations to the generalisability of the findings due to the qualitative methodology and sample size, this study provides...

show abstract

Grandparents matter: Optimizing grandparents' involvement after child safety concerns

Gair

Zuchowski

Munns

et al. 2018

Child & Family Social Work

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Across Australia and internationally, growing numbers of grandparents are becoming primary carers for grandchildren, both within and outside of formal state care arrangements. Underlying factors include family breakdown, family circumstances where parents are unable to care for their children, or where there are child safety concerns. Some grandparents report a pattern of initially providing care for grandchildren but then experiencing reduced or lost contact that sometimes is not restored, in turn impacting ongoing relationships with grandchildren. A prevailing concern is the disproportional numbers of Aboriginal children in state care in all Australian states. Reported here are findings from a recent partnership research project focused on optimizing grandparent contact and ongoing relationships with grandchildren after child safety concerns. Qualitative in‐depth interviews and focus groups were conducted with 77 participants. Findings revealed grandparents yearned to maintain a significant role in grandchildren's lives after child safety issues emerged, however, they often felt powerless, unsupported, and sidelined from decision‐making in the best interests of their grandchildren. Participants made strong recommendations for more inclusive processes.

show abstract

Working ethically in child protection

Abstract: Reviewed by Kelly J. Smith, University of Waikato.

Cited by 5 publications

References 0 publications

Let’s stop feeding the risk monster: towards a social model of ‘child protection’

Let’s stop feeding the risk monster: towards a social model of ‘child protection’

Witnessing resilience: resilience of child protection workers in Queensland

Grandparents matter: Optimizing grandparents' involvement after child safety concerns

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About