The role of child protection managers during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. Challenges, priorities, new knowledge and skills

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the role of the managers of child protection services in a region of Northern Italy during the Covid-19 pandemic. In most child protection services, there is a manager who is responsible for supporting social workers and collaborating with directors and policymakers. The COVID-19 pandemic has strongly impacted welfare organisations, professionals, service users, and families. Given the exceptional situation, an online survey was conducted on child protection services and the functions performed by managers during the first phase of the pandemic (March-May 2020). This paper presents the findings of a research survey involving 85 child protection managers. The challenges of the new organisation of child protection services required by the health emergency, the hectic work schedule and the fear of infection did not hinder the action of social services. Managers played a crucial role in developing and enhancing the new skills and tools necessary to cope with problems and difficulties created by the health emergency. Although the scope of the study is limited as it involves only the managers of one Italian region, its findings could be relevant to other European child protection services.