Statutory Child Protection Research Articles

Fathers who use domestic violence: Organisational capacity building and practice development

AbstractIt is well established in the literature that fathers who use violence harm women and children. Statutory child protection workers and other human service professionals now face strong injunctions to work with these men. However, insufficient attention has been given to considering the processes for intervening with fathers who use violence and the organisational context to support workers in refocusing their practice. Workers lack clear guidance, and organisations lack specific understandings of how to support workers in this complex area of practice. Australian research used co‐design with professionals in Communities of Practice supported by the Safe & Together Institute to explore the organisational context required to work with fathers who use violence. This paper presents findings of qualitative data gathered from surveys, focus groups, and ethnographic notes of 30 Community of Practice sessions. Working together, practitioners and researchers identified four essential elements to support organisational development and improve practice: leadership by senior managers; recognition that domestic violence work needs to strengthen collaborative working; extensive training, supervising, and coaching; and enhanced worker safety. Worker perspectives are critical in developing practice principles and identifying organisational mechanisms that support practitioners to work safely and effectively with fathers who use violence.

Does child maltreatment predict alcohol use disorders in young adulthood? A cohort study of linked notifications and survey data

Most studies of the association between child maltreatment and subsequent problem alcohol use are retrospective. We studied the association of prospectively substantiated child maltreatment with problem alcohol use in adulthood. We used a prospective cohort record linkage correlational design using data from a statutory child protection agency of prospectively substantiated child maltreatment linked to a birth cohort from a major metropolitan maternity hospital. The Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy in Brisbane, Australia. Of the 3762 young people at the 21-year follow-up, 169 (4.5%) had a history of substantiated maltreatment by 16years. This was most commonly emotional abuse (n=90). The main outcome was heavy alcohol use at the 21-year follow-up, defined as four or more standard drinks per day. Secondary outcomes were life-time and 12-month diagnoses of alcohol use disorders in 2531 participants who completed the Composite International Diagnostic Interview-auto (CIDI-auto) version. Predictor variables were physical, sexual and emotional abuse, as well as neglect. At follow-up, 407 of the 3762 participants reported heavy alcohol use (10.8%). On adjusted analyses, participants who had experienced emotional abuse were significantly more likely to report heavy alcohol use at the time of interview (adjusted odds ratio=1.856; 95% confidence interval=1.038-3.319; P=0.037). Neglect was associated with a life-time CIDI diagnosis of an alcohol use disorder. Other types of child maltreatment were not significantly associated with any of the outcomes. Prospectively identified experience of childhood emotional abuse and neglect appears to be positively associated with problem alcohol use at age 21.

Maltreatment and Delinquency: Examining the Contexts of Offending Amongst Child Protection-Involved Children

Abstract Child protection-involved children experience disproportionately high criminal justice system contact, yet little is known about the circumstances in which such children offend. This study sought to identify the contexts in which this group of children offend and factors associated with children being charged in each context. A mixed-methods analysis of Children’s Court case files was conducted utilising a cross-sectional sample of 300 children who came before three Children’s Criminal Courts in Victoria, Australia, and who also had statutory Child Protection involvement. Three key contexts of offending were identified: adolescent family violence (AFV), residential care-based offending and group-based offending. A total of 33 per cent of children had engaged in AFV (23 per cent had AFV-related charges), 36 per cent of children ever placed in residential care acquired charges relating to their behaviour in these settings, while 44 per cent of children had engaged in group-based offending. More than one-third of children (38 per cent) also had criminal charges stemming from justice system interactions (e.g. resisting arrest). Children’s cumulative neurodevelopmental, mental health and substance abuse challenges correlated with offending in each context. Strategies to reduce youth justice contact amongst child protection-involved children should consider systems responses to AFV and behavioural challenges in residential care.

Practitioner perspectives on implementing an alternative response in statutory child protection: The role of local practice context and leadership teams in shaping practice

Internationally, there is growing interest in the adoption of alternative responses that divert families, when safe to do so, away from the courts and out-of-home care system. However, it is widely recognised that the crisis-driven nature of statutory child protection in conjunction with the dominance of risk-adverse practice can inhibit practitioners' abilities to implement such interventions. In Queensland (Australia), ‘intervention with parental agreement’ (IPA) is an alternative response that allows the statutory child protection authority to work with families without a court order. Drawing on the perspectives of 30 practitioners recruited from the statutory child protection authority and tertiary non-government family support services, this paper explores the local factors that shape how IPA policy is implemented in practice. In particular, the paper considers the mechanisms that the leadership team within a statutory child protection office can use to shape a local practice culture that supports and is conducive to collaborative IPA practice.

Protective support and supportive protection for families “in the middle”: Learning from the Irish context

AbstractThis paper critically examines the relationship between statutory family support and child protection using the case study of Ireland. It builds on the work of Devaney and McGregor (2017) to offer an additional contribution to existing frameworks for practice through adapting the Hardiker Exton and Barker (1991) model of prevention. Using evidence from current Irish developments, the case for moving away from linear and simplistic differentiation of family support and child protection is made. Evidence from three main sources in Ireland is presented to develop the argument. This evidence includes the Child Care Law Reporting project (Coulter, 2015, 2018); a recent evaluation of a family support practice model called Meitheal (Rodriguez Cassidy and Devaney, 2018) and recent findings about public awareness of family support (McGregor and NicGabhainn, 2018). We argue that special attention should be paid to families “in the middle” who are in need of both support and protection and propose an adapted version of Hardiker et al. model to aid in this work. We identify what should happen at different levels for macrostructural to micropractice levels. We conclude that the learning from the Irish case study can be applied to an international context.

The child in child protection: Invisible and unheard

AbstractThe paper presents findings from a qualitative study of four child death reviews published in Australia. The study was informed by the theoretical concept of childism. A critical social research methodology facilitated the exposure of childist dynamics in statutory child protection. The transformation of child protection practices and systems has traditionally relied on the imposition of never‐ending structural changes, policies, and procedures. This paper proposes that transformation and the erosion of childist dynamics is contingent on humane and ethical statutory child protection agencies.

Assessing for bruises on the soul: identifying and evidencing childhood emotional abuse

ABSTRACTThe term ‘emotional abuse’ is acknowledged by law in the Children Act 1989 and refers to the wider social concept of harm that occurs in the psychosocial domain. Emotional abuse is a contested notion and a form of harm that statutory child protection social workers find difficult to recognise and gather evidence of. Early preventative intervention approaches, which occur outside the legal system, are the preferred course of action in work with emotional abuse. However, child protection social workers may use their statutory powers and duties to implement interventions when cases are deemed to require attention within legal frameworks.Professionals routinely fear legal work in cases of emotional abuse, feeling inadequately equipped to engage effectively with the law. This article draws on rich research data, gathered for an Economic and Social Research Council funded doctoral project. The data offers an original perspective on the interaction between social work and law, adding to existing literature on the frictions that exists. Using psychosocial methods, the research explores social worker experiences of identifying and evidencing emotional abuse, with particular attention to the application of ‘attachment theory’. The article shines a light on some practice complexities of identifying and evidencing emotional abuse.

The Role of Place for Transnational Social Workers in Statutory Child Protection

The Role of Place for Transnational Social Workers in Statutory Child Protection

You are not allowed to tell: organisational culture as a barrier for child protection workers seeking assistance for traumatic stress symptomology

AbstractChild protection work is one of the most difficult and complex areas of human services practice. Working within a trauma-laden environment often means that practitioner susceptibility to trauma-related mental health issues is an occupational hazard. However, many practitioners are reluctant to seek support when they start to experience symptoms of traumatic stress. This paper considers current literature relating to child protection workers’ exposure to work-related traumatic material, resulting traumatic stress symptomology and organisational responses to practitioner distress. Results from a recent doctoral study that explores the experiences of child protection practitioners based in Queensland will be presented. Findings from the study were derived from qualitative in-depth, semi-structured interviews. The study findings indicate that the organisational culture within statutory child protection agencies creates an environment where practitioners are labelled as incompetent or not suitable for child protection work when they disclose experiencing symptoms of traumatic stress. The experience of bullying and retribution by supervisors and colleagues and the fear of rejection by the workgroup were also found to be significant barriers for workers seeking support.

From Prevention through to Therapy: Supporting Evidence‐Informed Practice across the Spectrum of Child Maltreatment

From Prevention through to Therapy: Supporting Evidence‐Informed Practice across the Spectrum of Child Maltreatment

Child trafficking victims and legal guardians: Exploring the fulfilment of the EU trafficking directive in the context of the UK modern Slavery Act 2015 – Best practice or not fit for purpose?

Child victims of trafficking are recognized as particularly vulnerable victims, who require additional protection and support and a more rigorous legal framework. The regional anti-trafficking instruments 1 explicitly enforce the importance of protecting child trafficking victims, requiring Member States to ‘appoint a guardian or a representative for a child victim of trafficking in human beings from the moment the child is identified by the authorities’. 2 The problem of child trafficking and exploitation has received increased attention in England and Wales in recent years, with record number of minors referred to the National Referral Mechanism in 2016. Running parallel to this are the apparent failings of the domestic social care system to safeguard not only trafficked children but also those who are seeking asylum or unaccompanied. Over a quarter of officially identified trafficked children were found to have gone missing between 2014 and 2015. 3 Across the United Kingdom when transposing the European Union (EU) legal framework, the Government maintained that existing provisions by local authorities under their statutory child protection obligations, including social workers and independent reviewing officers, fulfilled the guardian requirements in the Directive. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 has placed significant emphasis on reforming the approach to the protection for child trafficking victims, culminating in the introduction a specific statutory provision establishing Independent Child Trafficking Advocates (ICTAs). 4 Such a scheme is the first guardian of its kind, designed specifically for child trafficking victims in Europe. Taking into account the recent evaluation of pilot schemes, 5 and the slight variation in approach taken in the devolved jurisdictions of the United Kingdom, 6 this article will consider the extent to which the protection of child trafficking victims under the jurisdiction of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 is sufficient to fulfil the legal positive obligations imposed by EU Law. This article will demonstrate that as it stands the Modern Slavery Act 2015 fulfils the obligations of the EU Trafficking Directive in relation to the protection of child trafficking victims. However, its fully effective enforcement requires further efforts in policy to ensure that these legal obligations are implemented in practice.

The Healthy Homes and Neighbourhoods Integrated Care Initiative

Introduction: Sydney Local Health District undertook a collaborative planning process for vulnerable families in 2013 and 2014. In late 2014 the District successfully tendered for an integrated care initiative for vulnerable families – Healthy Homes and Neighbourhoods, which was implemented in July 2015. Practice Change Implemented: The initiative involved system redesign and commitment from health, education, social care, local government, primary-care and non-Government partners. The model included: shared intake, care-coordination, family group conferencing, wrap-around delivery models, place-based service hubs, general practice engagement and support, and population-based health improvement initiatiave. Aim and Theory of Change: The intervention aims to break intergenerational cycles of disadvantage, psychological trauma, poor parenting and poor health outcomes. A complex Theory of Change ToC was developed, that in summary, would: 1 engage, empower and support families; and 2 develop and strengthen the service system through a collaborative co-design process. Targeted Population and Stakeholders: The initiative is intended for vulnerable families with complex health and social care needs who have one or more dependent children unborn through to 17 years where their complex health needs are impacting on their capacity to parent effectively and participate in their community. The Stakeholders included: the local primary health network PHN, statutory child protection agency, housing department, schools, early childhood education and care providers, local government, and non-Government organisations working with complex families. Time Line: Implementation in July 2015, reviewed 2016 and secured recurrent funding July 2017. Highlights: The initiative has the following key features: Multiple core and non-core agencies working together over a sustained period of time i.e. 5 years with families with complex health and social needs All the needs of families are in scope for the intervention, including housing, employment, income support and legal advice Use of evidence informed integrated care methods by service partners, including family case conferencing, and “wrap around” care delivery Encouraging families to have a “health home” for all their health needs and supporting them to move from dependency to independence Supporting general practice providers to care for families that are often seen to be “too difficult” Development and implementation of shared assessment tools and referral criteria Implementation of family assessment and engagement tools that can be used over the long-term to monitor the health and wellbeing of family members Transferability: The integrated care model uses design elements that were adapted from other international projects and which can be implemented in other health and social care settings. The model may also be transferable to other vulnerable population groups including aged care. Conclusions: The development of a trusting relationship between HHAN care coordinators, service providers and their clients has been an integral component of the success of the Healthy Homes and Neighbourhoods Program. Discussion: The HHAN initiative demonstrates the benefits of integrating services with the social care, education and local government sectors to address the social determinants of health as they affect families Lessons Learned: The development of trust between agencies, clinicians and patients is essential for the development and implantation of integrated care initiatives

Child protection and fathering where there is domestic violence: Contradictions and consequences

AbstractChildren live in different contexts of protection and vulnerability when exposed to domestic violence. The negative impacts for many children are consistent and widely acknowledged. However, the implication that this requires men who use violence to address their fathering has been slower to emerge. This article draws from 69 in‐depth qualitative interviews with men, women, and workers across four men's behaviour change programmes in rural Victoria, Australia. Particular attention is given to men's attitudes to their fathering and the formal and informal consequences they experienced as a result of their violence and its impact on their fathering. Although most men came to recognize that their violence impacted their children, they failed to make the connection that the involvement of statutory child protection services in their lives was a direct consequence of their abusive behaviour. This article explores this disconnection by fathers who use violence, their attitude to the involvement of statutory child protection services, and identifies the implications for social work practitioners in addressing this issue.

Transnational social workers’ lived experience in statutory child protection

ABSTRACT The experience of loss and grief affects migrating social workers who enter an unfamiliar child protection environment. This paper highlights themes that emerged from the narratives of 13 transnational social workers, who were educated and practised in the United Kingdom or Ireland before being recruited to Australia’s statutory child protection workforce. The recruitment of social workers from overseas is an approach used across Australia to backfill a continuous shortage of frontline child protection staff. The effectiveness of this strategy remains largely unexamined. This narrative-informed study investigated the process of professional experience as a child protection practitioner and the personal experience of migration. Two data collection points enabled exploration of the experience over time. Participants reported a loss of personal and professional belonging during the concurrent experiences of migration and adaptation to an unfamiliar practice environment. The findings suggest that in light of the complex and emotionally charged nature of child protection practice, raised awareness and better support are needed for transnational social workers who, as new migrants themselves, are experiencing a profound and life-changing event.

‘Good enough’ parenting: Negotiating standards and stigma

BackgroundPolicy concern with families has led to the framing of ‘good parenting’ as a skill set that parents must acquire while ‘poor parenting’ is linked to a raft of social problems, including child maltreatment. A range of professionals are responsible for monitoring parents for evidence of ‘poor parenting’, and for reporting those parents to statutory child protection authorities. Little is known about how parents in vulnerable circumstances negotiate these dual pressures of ‘good parenting’ and surveillance. MethodsEight parents who use drugs were interviewed about raising children well. The data is drawn from a project that used a positive deviance approach to understand the practices and norms that contribute to positive child outcomes in communities where positive outcomes are unexpected or statistically anomalous. ResultsParents use a range of strategies to minimise risk of harm from drug use. Participants resist negative stereotypes that portray their parenting primarily in terms of risk; and in contrast to previous research, describe feelings of guilt but not shame. Systemic barriers to safe environments include the nature of illicit drug markets and the surveillance and policing responsibilities of service agencies. ConclusionThe findings contribute to an understanding of safe and competent parenting by parents who use drugs and highlight how drug laws and fear of intervention can work against the creation of safe family environments.

Affect and Emotion in a Parent’s Engagement with Statutory Child-Protection Services: Navigating Stigma and ‘Identity Assault’

Affect and Emotion in a Parent’s Engagement with Statutory Child-Protection Services: Navigating Stigma and ‘Identity Assault’

Affect and Emotion in a Parent’s Engagement with Statutory Child-Protection Services: Navigating Stigma and ‘Identity Assault’

Affect and Emotion in a Parent’s Engagement with Statutory Child-Protection Services: Navigating Stigma and ‘Identity Assault’

Trampolines and Minefields: The Use of Touch during Home-Based Child Protection Visits in England

This paper is based on a research study which explores Social Workers’ feelings about professionals touching children during statutory child protection visits to clients’ homes in one part of a southern English county.The study focussed on Social Worker visits to children aged between two and ten years who were subject to child protection plans following Section 47 enquiries of the Children Act 1989. A convenience sample of ten completed questionnaires recorded the types of touch, which were reported during the last visit made by the social worker. Semi-structured interviews followed with a further ten Social Workers.Analysis of the data revealed that most of the Social Workers in the study did touch children in a range of ways and for a variety of reasons during visits. ‘Touch’ was a term which some found uncomfortable and this paper considers whether terminology obstructs open reflection on the topic. Practitioners were keen to discuss the subject more amongst their peers in order to share best practice.

Changing practice cultures in statutory child protection: Practitioners' perspectives

AbstractMany child protection systems struggle to implement effective models of frontline practice in the context of high caseloads, increasing costs, and compliance‐focused bureaucratic cultures. This article discusses changes brought about by “Practice First,” a framework for practice introduced to improve the quality and effectiveness of child protection work in New South Wales, Australia. Findings drawn from quantitative and qualitative research with practitioners show that the initiative was effective in changing cultures of practice. It enabled workers to spend more face‐to‐face time with families and build relationships and was perceived to improve the quality of decision‐making. At the same time, the article highlights difficulties in attempting to embed change in practice cultures when broader systemic challenges persist.

Collaborating with parents during intervention with parental agreement: Practitioner perspectives on procedural justice

AbstractWith growing concerns about the efficacy and costs of intrusive child protection interventions and increasing recognition of citizen rights to participation in governance, jurisdictions are looking to collaborative alternatives that divert families from the courts and out‐of‐home care. In Queensland (Australia), “intervention with parental agreement” (IPA) is one such response. Under IPA, the statutory child protection authority can work collaboratively with families, without a court order, to respond to children assessed as “in need of protection.” In this paper, we use procedural justice theory as a lens to explore how IPA policy is enacted in practice. Procedural justice relates to the quality of treatment a person receives and the fairness of the process than an authority uses during decision‐making (Tyler, ). It is associated with voluntary cooperation and compliance; key practice concerns when working to address child maltreatment via parental agreement rather than court ordered intervention. We report on a qualitative study that utilized semistructured, in‐depth interviews to capture the perceptions of 30 practitioners regarding the factors that shape the extent to which they enact IPA policy in a procedurally fair manner. Strategies for enhancing procedurally just enactment of IPA policy in practice are discussed.