Naming, blaming and claiming rights: A Danish case study of digitalization and participation in child and family welfare services.

Background and purpose:
This presentation delves into the challenges encountered by vulnerable families in Denmark's digitally advanced social work landscape. The nation's policy strategies consistently underscore participation and protection rights, as exemplified by the recently legislated Children's Act (Barnets Lov), designed to reinforce Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Methods/study design:
The study is grounded in qualitative findings. Initially, a document analysis (N = 1031) of policy strategies and legislation focusing on the participation of vulnerable families was undertaken. To comprehend the perspectives and experiences of families in their interactions with public systems, a series of five future workshops (N = 22) were conducted to explore the aspects considered significant by participants in the research project. Subsequently, interviews (N = 25) were carried out with both families and social workers, particularly those affiliated with civil society organizations.

Findings:
The top-down analysis reveals a strong intention within policy strategies to enhance children's participation and underscores the importance of involving parents in social welfare work. Conversely, the bottom-up analysis suggests that actualizing participation often places a substantial responsibility on service users. This analysis indicates that digital and bureaucratic competencies play a pivotal role in determining the extent of families' participation as a reality or tokenism. Some families experience that decisions are being made for them rather than with them.

Conclusions and implications for practice, policy or further research:
The identified challenges underscore the necessity for families not only to navigate their social situations but also to possess sufficient bureaucratic and digital skills to access support. Consequently, families in vulnerable positions may find themselves compelled to seek assistance from private or civil society organizations and NGO’s. While this may mitigate further exclusion, it also brings to light the potential for increased inequity in accessing such organizations. The findings emphasize the importance of providing families with better conditions to assert their rights, echoing the principles of "name, blame, and claim" outlined by Felstiner et al. (2007).