Navigating the labyrinth: exploring the experiences of Roma families with child protection services

Abstract

This article presents findings regarding the experiences of Roma families interacting with child protection services. Using a mixed-methods approach grounded in critical realism, the research team explored the complex dynamics that shape these interactions. The study adopts a critical stance on child welfare, moving beyond dominant individualistic and risk-averse narratives to emphasise the need for contextualising child protection within a broader socio-economic and cultural landscape. Findings reveal that Roma families engaging with child protection services must navigate a labyrinthine institutional environment rooted in Anglocentric values often ill-equipped to support minoritised populations. These interactions, deeply entrenched in socio-economic disparities and cultural biases, routinely place Roma families in adversarial positions with state agents. Rather than being isolated incidents, these systemic barriers exacerbate the already challenging circumstances faced by Roma families.