Deconstructing Discourses in Assessments of Child Neglect

B Casey,S Hackett

doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcab044

Abstract

Abstract This article presents the findings of a qualitative study exploring how child neglect is ‘performed’ in social work practice. Informed by Foucauldian and feminist theoretical positions, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten local authority social workers, eight Children’s Centre professionals in England and eight parents who had received professional intervention due to concerns about child neglect. In addition, ten case files were analysed where child neglect was a substantive concern. This article explores the discourses that were produced in social workers’ assessments of child neglect. In a neo-liberal context in which cuts are being made to childcare services, professionals were preoccupied with the identification and management of neglectful families by risk. Professional debates surrounding contested thresholds into services and categorisation of neglectful families are explored. Judgements of ‘good enough’ mothering as well as bureaucratic and managerial constraints to holistic, analytical and quality assessments are identified. The article also explores the bureaucratic performance of children’s assessed identities through which children become the objects of the assessment rather than active subjects. The article concludes with recommendations for practice and future research.

Highlights

Neglect is the most prevalent form of child maltreatment in the UK and the most frequently used category of abuse for children who are subject to a child protection plan (DE, 2018)
Defining and assessing neglect occurs within a context of bureaucratic and managerial demands generated by neo-liberalism with increased emphasis on accountability and efficiency and the standardisation of social work practice (Carey, 2008)
This study explored the performance of child neglect in social work practice

Summary

Introduction

Neglect is the most prevalent form of child maltreatment in the UK and the most frequently used category of abuse for children who are subject to a child protection plan (DE, 2018). Social workers’ identification of cases of neglect, as well their assessment of its impact, is key practice concerns. The practice of such assessments can be complex and is somewhat contested in the literature in several important regards: Definitions and thresholds. 104) defines neglect as the ‘persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development’. Applying this definition of neglect in practice becomes problematic given a lack of guidance on the application of the broad statement and explanation of key terms (Turney, 2000). Defining and assessing neglect occurs within a context of bureaucratic and managerial demands generated by neo-liberalism with increased emphasis on accountability and efficiency and the standardisation of social work practice (Carey, 2008)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion