Abstract
Not much research focuses on how parents perceive and experience child protection practice
although the voices of service users are important in the development of social work within
Child Welfare Services. This article contributes to a growing body of research that takes the
user perspective as its point of departure when conducting research in social work. Drawing
on a qualitative study, this article explores how 17 parents have experienced assessment
processes in Denmark. Several studies indicate that parents who by themselves initiate child
protection assessment have a greater chance of achieving positive experiences of assessment
processes. As the large majority of the parents in this study by themselves initiated the
assessment, it seems paradoxical that most of the parents report solely negative experiences.
The article discusses different entries into child protection assessments (referral or the parents'
own initiative) and suggests that time (in the sense of progression in the assessment) is an
important dimension to take into account particularly when it comes to parents who wish to
engage in child protection assessments.
although the voices of service users are important in the development of social work within
Child Welfare Services. This article contributes to a growing body of research that takes the
user perspective as its point of departure when conducting research in social work. Drawing
on a qualitative study, this article explores how 17 parents have experienced assessment
processes in Denmark. Several studies indicate that parents who by themselves initiate child
protection assessment have a greater chance of achieving positive experiences of assessment
processes. As the large majority of the parents in this study by themselves initiated the
assessment, it seems paradoxical that most of the parents report solely negative experiences.
The article discusses different entries into child protection assessments (referral or the parents'
own initiative) and suggests that time (in the sense of progression in the assessment) is an
important dimension to take into account particularly when it comes to parents who wish to
engage in child protection assessments.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Child & Family Social Work |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 4 |
Pages (from-to) | 609-616 |
Number of pages | 8 |
ISSN | 1356-7500 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 25 Mar 2018 |
Keywords
- Child Protection Practice
- Child Welfare Services
- Parental perspective
- Assessments in Child Protection