Child Protection Conferences Research Articles

Child protection pathways for newborn infants: A multi‐disciplinary retrospective chart review of an Irish maternity hospital’s records

AbstractIn Ireland, little is known about mothers and infants where child welfare and protection concerns arise during the perinatal period. This study explores, for the first time, perinatal child protection. A retrospective audit was carried out of a large maternity hospital's medical social work, neonatal and psychiatric files for a five‐year period from 2016 to 2020. The study identified 99 children, born to 86 mothers, who were either subject to a child protection conference; placed for adoption; discharged to someone other than the mother; or discharged home under supervision. The study found that two‐thirds of the children were discharged to their mother's care. When compared to national data, the health indicators for this cohort of mothers and children painted a grim picture. The maternal profiles identified high prevalence of mental health and addiction difficulties and domestic violence. The study found evidence of supports provided to the mothers to enable them to care for their infants while they remained in the hospital and during an initial discharge from hospital. However, a significant number of the mothers were not caring for their children when viewed across a longer time frame. Dedicated multi‐disciplinary clinics and improved data systems were identified as of importance.

‘It is Really Important That We Sometimes Remember the Children and Their Views Rather than Just Our Own’: The Presentation and Representation of Children’s Views in the Child Protection Conference

In the UK, children are entitled to have their views, wishes and feelings conveyed to a child protection conference in person or through professional representation. This paper presents findings from a qualitative study undertaken in a local authority in England which explored perspectives of attending a conference in person and investigated how children’s views were represented when they were absent. Findings emerged through interviews with four children, focus groups conducted with four social workers and four conference Chairs, and case record analysis of reports submitted to and generated in child protection conferences for twenty-eight children. Three interrelating discourses of childism, participation and autonomous professional practice emerged within an overarching conceptualisation of power and generational ordering. The findings support contemporary understandings of the privileging of protection rights over participatory rights within child protection practices and add to the limited international evidence base concerning the extent to which young children can express their views, wishes and feelings. They also suggest a need to evaluate the impact of strengths-based practice frameworks, and approaches for assessment and recording practices that promote authentic participation for children across all age ranges.

Marginal voices: Exploring presence and participation in interaction in child protection conferences

Child protection conferences are key meetings in the social work child protection process in England. They provide the context where decisions are made about how best to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and constitute an important opportunity for social work services to work in partnership with parents; yet there is little research about what happens interactionally in these meetings and particularly about parents’ participation. Using interactional sociolinguistics, we analyse the data from three audio-recorded child protection conferences, focussing on sequences where concerns are raised and responded to, to illuminate how parent involvement is accomplished interactionally. We look specifically at the linguistic and discursive features of turns and the management of the floor, connecting the sequential nature of the account sequences to presence and participation. The analysis shows a contrast between professionals’ participation versus parents’ presence in this asymmetrical event, suggesting a marginalisation of parents’ contributions and a mismatch between the principle of partnership working with parents and practice in this area of child protection social work.

Authenticity, power and the case record: A textual analysis of the participation of children and young people in their child protection conference

AbstractThis paper adds to the limited evidence base around documentary representation of the wishes, feelings and views of children and young people involved in the child protection system. It presents the findings of a critical discourse analysis of 114 documents relating to 28 children and young people in the North of England who were the subject of a child protection conference (CPC) due to having experienced significant harm or the high likelihood of significant harm occurring. Three dominant and interlayering discourses were identified: a discourse of childhood, a discourse of participation and a discourse of professional social work practice. While some children and young people came to life in the reports and were afforded a unique identity, others were invisible and their views were marginalized. The findings support a dominant discourse of the unseen and unheard child, with participation normally mediated by power relationships between adults and children, and which marginalizes the experiences of children through a structurally constructed lens of risk and vulnerability. The findings signify the need to establish assessment practices and case reporting systems in which children are heard themselves as well as reported on by others.

New Horizons for the Journal: Familiar Landscapes in Child Protection

New Horizons for the Journal: Familiar Landscapes in Child Protection

Missing Data, Complex Processes and Differing Contexts: A Case File Analysis of School Staff's Involvement in Child Protection Cases for Concerns of Neglect

This paper reports the findings from the analysis of 119 children's social work case files from three local authorities in Wales. The study offers new understanding about the extent of school staff's involvement in the provision of statutory support when there are concerns that a child is living with neglect. Findings demonstrate evidence of a broad range of early and preventative school‐based support provided in 42 per cent of the sample, some gaps in schools' contributions to statutory assessments and a decline in the level of involvement of members of school staff following the initial child protection conference. The discussion also acknowledges a number of challenges encountered during the study: the complexity of social work processes, the variance in understandings of neglect within differing regional contexts and large amounts of missing data on children's files and the restrictions this created for statistical measurement. Findings have important implications for interprofessional relationships between schools and social work teams, at individual and agency levels. The author makes a call for social workers to actively engage members of school staff in child protection processes with the purpose of increasing information sharing across agencies, while enhancing interprofessional safeguarding practice.‘Reports the findings from the analysis of 119 children's social work case files from three local authorities in Wales’Key Practitioner Messages Schools are key safeguarding partners and provide an extensive range of support to children and their families, both prior to and during statutory intervention. Members of school staff hold expert knowledge on children living with neglect which should be utilised more consistently within statutory assessments. Social workers should ensure members of school staff are invited to attend child protection conferences and develop interprofessional relationships to improve information sharing across agencies.

How Child‐Focused are Child Protection Conferences?

Child protection conferences (CPCs) are multiagency meetings that are central to child protection procedures in the UK. They bring together practitioners, parents and children to consider whether a child has experienced significant harm and, if so, what action is required to protect him or her in future. This article presents findings from a qualitative study of CPCs in two areas in central England which explored the extent to which conferences are ‘child‐focused’ events. Data were gathered from audio recordings and documentary analysis of 14 initial and review conferences, 15 interviews with conference staff and six focus groups with 35 practitioners from a range of agencies. A four‐part conceptualisation of child‐focused practice was used to analyse practice in conferences. Children's participation in CPCs was found to be low, and child‐focused decision‐making and planning were rarely achieved. The findings emphasise the importance of pre‐conference work with children and families, and the central role of the conference chair. These findings are compared to those of the landmark ‘studies in child protection’ research published by the Department of Health almost 26 years ago to determine if improvements in child protection conference practice have occurred.‘Explore[s] the extent to which [child protection] conferences are ‘child‐focused’ events’Key Practitioner Messages Making CPCs more child‐focused requires greater support, preparation and planning from practitioners. In particular, mechanisms to facilitate children's participation in conferences should be identified and used. While representation of children's views is critical, in order for the conference to be child‐focused, it must also consider the individual child's experience, including their daily lived experience and needs and outcomes in reports for conference, CPC discussion and child protection planning – please state preference. The time allocated for planning and decision‐making should be ring‐fenced within the conference.

Just shut up and let them talk’: Participation, power and the parent voice in the child protection system

Participatory practice is acknowledged as increasingly important in empowering families in the decision-making process. Yet parental participation in child protection and welfare settings remains a complex and multi-dimensional practice, dependent on a range of individual factors including willingness to engage; understanding of need, as well as system factors including power dynamics and resource constraints (Darlington et al., 2010). Parents can feel ‘powerless and helpless’ when not involved in decision-making processes (Hardy & Darlington, 2008). In addition to practice wisdom emerging from literature in the field, this paper examines the findings of a research study commissioned by Tusla (the Irish, national, statutory Child and Family Agency) on parental experiences of Child Protection Conferences (CPCs) in Counties Galway and Roscommon. Analysis of findings of a series of qualitative interviews (n=14) with parents who have attended CPCs, found that parents in the study felt unprepared for CPC, unclear of the implications for their families and felt marginalised by the CPC process. While many parents recognised their right to reply, most reported wanting to appear cooperative. The paper proposes recommendations including the development of a protocol for CPC preparation; participation supports for parents to ensure their voices are heard throughout the process; debriefing as a structured phase of the CPC; and continuous intensive engagement with parents post-CPC.

Technology assisted child sexual abuse: Professionals’ perceptions of risk and impact on children and young people

BackgroundDespite the rise in ‘online’/technology-assisted child sexual abuse (TA-CSA), little research has been conducted on professionals’ perceptions beyond reporting on young people’s experiences. ObjectivesThis novel study aimed to understand how professionals who work with victims perceive online CSA (i.e., dynamics and impact), and organizational responses to it. Participants and settingsSeven child protection professionals completed a paper-based pilot questionnaire; another 45 professionals (from child protection, policing, education and therapy) completed a shorter, online survey. MethodsRecruitment occurred via a child protection conference, relevant law enforcement/child protection organizations, and advertised via BASPCAN (a national organization for child protection professionals). ResultsProfessionals often demonstrated a limited understanding of the wide range of ‘online’ CSA. Online CSA was often seen by organizations and some professionals as less serious than offline CSA, with offline victims’ prioritized as higher risk, even though respondents noted the impact may be the same. Organizations rarely had clearly outlined assessment/intervention pathways, and some professionals noted that organizations are more likely to perceive victims as ‘active’ participants or to blame for their abuse. ConclusionsThere is often a limited understanding of the risks and severity of TA-CSA, and this can lead to victims remaining at risk, a systemic failure to protect, and a decreased chance of accessing appropriate interventions. Drawing on our findings, we make a number of recommendations, including adoption of the term ‘technology-assisted abuse’, adapted assessment tools and interventions, and widespread training. Policies should be reviewed to ensure they are not implicitly minimizing this serious form of abuse.

What makes a good-quality GP report for an Initial Child Protection Conference?

Under the Children Act 1989, when safeguarding concerns arise in England, local authorities (LAs) have a statutory responsibility to carry out a Section 47 Enquiry. This may lead to an Initial Child Protection Conference (ICPC), which relies on collating pertinent information from relevant agencies. Because GPs are a key health representative, who may hold crucial information in their records, they should be invited to submit a written report for and, if able, attend the ICPC. GPs have been poor attenders at ICPCs and locally it has been found that offering teleconferencing as an alternative to attending in person was not taken up.1 The General Medical Council (GMC) and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) both recognise that doctors have a professional responsibility to ‘contribute to child protection procedures and provide relevant information to child protection meetings’ .2 If they cannot attend, they should provide ‘a comprehensive report … prior to the conference’ .3 Because many factors can lead to a child being at risk of, or suffering, significant harm, it is essential that GP reports contribute intelligently to this process. Their reports should contain relevant health information (about the parents and the child) to help Children’s Social Care protect the child from harm. Their reports should attempt to capture the voice of the child and to analyse critically any health issues in relation to the child and the impact parental health may have on the situation (Box 1). …

Communication, Communication, Communication: The Key to Improving General Practitioner Report Submission for Initial Child Protection Conferences

Communication, Communication, Communication: The Key to Improving General Practitioner Report Submission for Initial Child Protection Conferences

Association between child maltreatment and central sensitivity syndromes: a systematic review protocol

IntroductionA growing body of evidence is identifying the link between a history of child maltreatment and a variety of adverse health outcomes ultimately leading to significant social and healthcare burden....

Safeguarding Children and Young People is Everyone's Responsibility

Safeguarding Children and Young People is Everyone's Responsibility

A Service Evaluation of General Practitioner Contribution to Initial Child Protection Conferences

A Service Evaluation of General Practitioner Contribution to Initial Child Protection Conferences

Creating space for children and young people’s engagement in international conferences

ABSTRACTGlobally, never before has there been such formal support of children’s and young people’s meaningful participation, nor has there been so many attempts to make it a reality. Despite support, institutional structures and adult decision makers have not been able to engage in a paradigm shift and to involve children meaningfully, effectively and sustainably. Children’s participation in their own protection can improve these protection efforts through clarifying children’s specific needs and collaboratively finding solutions. This article will use the 2015 Facilitating International Child Participation in Child Protection Conference to explore critical issues at the intersection between children’s participation and child protection and the role of interconnectedness and collaboration between children and adults within and across sectors to identify opportunities for children and young people to be engaged as partners in international conferences and meetings. The scholars, practitioners, policymakers and young people from diverse disciplines and sectors identified current ethical, legal, political and practical tensions and priorities affecting the field. The author posits that learnings and action points from the conference can act as a pivotal leverage point to build a continuous exchange between children and adults on the development of policies, programmes and measures in relevant contexts. The article will conclude with recommendations for future conferences and continuous collaboration between children and adults in international forums.

Children and Parent Participation in Child Protection Conferences: A Study in One English Local Authority

ABSTRACTThe overall purpose of a child protection conference is to safeguard children. The conferences are multi-agency meetings that aim to ensure children's safety, promote children's health and development, and identify when a child is at continuing risk of significant harm. Law and policies in the United Kingdom highlight that parents and children should be involved in this process and that their wishes and feelings should be listened to and heard by professionals, yet several research studies show that this is not happening. This study also explores how much parents, children and young people understand about the purpose of child protection conferences and whether they feel actively involved in them. Twenty-three children and 26 corresponding parents were interviewed, all of whom are currently going through the child protection process and have children subject to a child protection plan. The ages of children interviewed were between eight and 18 years; all children were still living at home with at least one parent. This study concludes that children and young people's understanding of child protection conferences and their participation within them is minimal, highlighting that the methods used to engage children in this process are largely ineffective. Most parents felt unsupported throughout the child protection process and the majority did not find their social workers helpful, which could increase the likelihood of disengagement and may inhibit the cycle of change. Similar research studies conclude comparable results, yet practice within the child protection system does not seem to be developing in terms of improving service user participation.

Implementing the Strengthening Families Approach to Child Protection Conferences

Implementing the Strengthening Families Approach to Child Protection Conferences

‘You've got to trust her and she's got to trust you’: children's views on participation in the child protection system

AbstractParticipation by children in child protection remains a complex area of practice. This paper presents findings from a qualitative study exploring the views of 26 children, aged 6–17 years, about their participation in the child protection system in England. All of the children were subject to a child protection plan and were living at home at the time of interview. The children's understanding of the child protection process was categorized, and the majority of children, including the youngest, were found be at least partially aware of the child protection process, often struggling to make sense of the professional intervention in their families on the basis of partial information. It is argued that decisions about children's involvement should take into account not only children's age and understanding, but be seen in the context of wider family dynamics. Participation in formal processes such as child protection conferences was experienced as difficult and emotive. The child's relationship with their social worker was central to meaningful participation.

The use of sociograms to explore collaboration in child protection conferences

Abstract The Strengthening Families child protection conference model attempts to empower parents' participation in conferences and to enhance collaboration between conference participants. This paper, which is part of a broader study looking at the implementation of the Strengthening Families model across a county council in England, UK, explored the use of ‘power’ and ‘mutual interaction’ in both traditional and Strengthening Families child protection conferences. Data was collected using sociograms which were recorded during observations of the two types of conferences. Sociograms were analysed in order to identify patterns in terms of ‘power’ and ‘communication’ together with the use of the ‘group cohesion index’ which enabled us to draw conclusions about the degree of interaction between conference participants. Findings indicated a difference between the use of power in traditional and Strengthening Families conferences. In traditional conferences the power was mostly static (held by the chair), and in the Strengthening Families conferences power was shifted from the leader of the collaboration (chair) to the people who administer the collaboration (conference participants). Also, in the Strengthening Families model more interaction between conference participants and better group coherence were evident; however, in both types of conference communication was limited between the professionals. Sociograms proved a useful method for exploring group dynamics in the context of child protection conferences. It is suggested that a broader understanding of the underpinning principles of the Strengthening Families model is needed to successfully empower parents' participation in conferences and to enhance collaboration between conference participants.

The Participation of Fathers in Child Protection Conferences: A Practitioner's Perspective

Fathers’ involvement in child protection processes appears to remain low and is problematic given their influence over the lives and wellbeing of their children and partners. Men's views need to be taken into account, as part of consideration of risk and the meaning of their participation for others in the family. While the risk or presence of abuse may necessarily limit how the participation of a father is managed in case conferences, and needs to be explored and challenged, in most cases it does not justify failing to contact or seeking to involve fathers. Involving fathers is crucial to actively managing and tackling risks. Most work on engaging fathers has been focused on engaging them one‐to‐one or in families. This article focuses on the neglected issue of the participation of fathers in child protection conferences and subsequent inter‐agency team work on the child protection plan recommended at the child protection conference. It argues that, with careful preparation and chairing, fathers’ participation can be managed using the skills of relationship‐based and authoritative practice in tandem. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.‘Fathers’ involvement in child protection processes appears to remain low’‘Fathers’ participation can be managed using the skills of relationship‐based and authoritative practice in tandem’Key Practitioner Messages Including fathers' participation and views should be a requirement of good practice and forms an integral part of the assessment and management of risks; the extent of live participation depends on, and needs to be limited to manage, the immediate risks. Even in complex cases involving multiple fathers, careful planning and skilled chairing can make it possible to include all the men in conferences. The energy and commitment that can be generated for fathers at conferences can be harnessed to help enable them to change.