Abstract
In this article, we theorize and reflect based on former research into professional practice and discretion as well as use some results from working together with practitioners in child protection services to explore the phenomenon of non-performing. Regulation lies at the heart of the contemporary child protection discourse. On the one hand we have seen a trend towards systematization of assessment content and procedures, on the other hand it is assumed that rational management approaches can secure consistency of performance. Social workers may be weary of the constraints all this imposes, but seem generally content to comply. Our reasoning was that social workers in child protection should be helped to get to grips with modifications to practice so that multi-challenged families could be accorded priority. These changes would include a reframing of assessment to take account of family needs as well as the needs of children. Follow-up would also require much more attention. Additionally, the choice of help provided for children and families would have to come into better focus, despite the limitations often experienced in practice. The question we asked was whether these types of reframing could be fostered within local child welfare units. We conducted a field trial in which child protection units were encouraged to reframe their practices, with the support of an expert group. The idea was to enhance and enable innovation through the combination of a more thorough dialogue with the families involved, as well as critical reflection based on available knowledge related to the identified challenges. We do a critical discussion of the work and the results from this in order to enhance knowledge on innovation in child protection.
Highlights
While carrying out research as well as examining researching practices and the world of social work for more than three decades, the authors have experienced the influx of neoliberal reasoning, especially involving an increased focus on metrics and performance in welfare services
We have seen qualified social workers who have clear ideas of the needs of clients and value the cooperation and responsibility that lies at the heart of social work as being relevant to people’s lives and wellbeing, but in a reflexive mode must acknowledge their failure in practicing their professional values
Innovation here would mean developing actions to broaden the scope of investments in families with multiple challenges, and following up and evaluating how these innovations could be adapted to use when facing similar challenges with other families in need. Another line of reasoning was that social workers in child protection by virtue of their training are unfamiliar with the mindset and skills that can support low-level innovation of the kind envisaged here
Summary
While carrying out research as well as examining researching practices and the world of social work for more than three decades, the authors have experienced the influx of neoliberal reasoning, especially involving an increased focus on metrics and performance in welfare services. Innovation here would mean developing actions to broaden the scope of investments in families with multiple challenges, and following up and evaluating how these innovations could be adapted to use when facing similar challenges with other families in need Another line of reasoning was that social workers in child protection by virtue of their training are unfamiliar with the mindset and skills that can support low-level innovation of the kind envisaged here. We explore dilemmas that arise in giving priority to clients’ needs in settings where managerial demands prevail and regulate social work To support this discussion, we draw from the two-weeks-home-based exam papers and two days of structured discussions reflecting with the social workers/students upon their first year of experiences trying to innovate when working with challenged families. This research is to some extent focusing on how disciplinary traits in social work settings is acted out, without regarding or working with resistance
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
