1,721,054 research outputs found
Protecting Children and Supporting Families post-Covid
Full text linkIn this article, the author revisits her work on the Social Model of Protecting Children. This work is based on research into social inequalities and social harms and poses a challenge to the individualising child protection narratives that have dominated in England, the country the article is based on. The author explores the possibilities thrown up by Covid 19, for supporting shifts towards a social model. It will be argued, however, that while there were, indeed, such possibilities, subsequent explorations have raised troubling questions particularly concerning the role of the contemporary state in England. The article concludes by highlighting some conceptual and empirical resources to support renewed critique and activism going forward
Rethinking the concept of institutionalisation in child protection
No full textThe chapter aims to discuss the concept and practices of institutionalisation, with a specific focus on its relevance to the sense and sensibility of social work in the child protection system. In Italy, the process of deinstitutionalisation was officially completed in 2006 following the enactment of Law 149/ 2001, which affirmed children’s right to grow up in a family environment. However, despite these efforts, various forms of institutionalisation persist in child protection due to issues such as managerialism and bureaucratisation.
Institutionalisation, in this context, does not involve only removing children from their families. Instead, it encompasses any form of oppression and exclusion of families from the decision- making process within social services. Furthermore, it refers to interventions that lack transparency, participation, timeliness, defined objectives, and measurable outcomes.
The chapter is structured into three parts. The first part provides an overview of the history and concept of institutionalisation, along with a selective literature review that highlights key features, challenges, and debates surrounding this phenomenon. The second part introduces the Italian Programme of Intervention to Prevent Institutionalisation (P.I.P.P.I.) which adopts a participatory approach (Milani, 2022). This approach integrates sense and sensibility in working with families to address different forms of institutionalisation (Browne, 2017). It promotes co- creation, emphasises accompanying (the concept of accompanying is explored further later but at its heart is about professionals and parents being side- by- side, rather than assuming control, focuses on strengths rather than weakness, and actively involves families and their networks, through multidimensional and intensive interventions). The third part presents an example drawn from the implementation of P.I.P.P.I., illustrating how the orientations, outlined in the previous sections, facilitate family participation and contribute to favourable. outcomes in terms of positive parenting within the realm of child protection; while preventing any resurgence of ‘institutionalisation 2.0’
Beyond male role models: gender identities and practices in work with young men
No full textThe objective was to explore whether the gender identity of the worker makes a difference to developing good quality relationships between workers and young men, and to explore how gender interacts with other aspects of identity such as class and ethnicity.
Transcripts of interviews and focus groups with young male and female service users, and with male and female staff, at support services in the United Kingdom, together with background information and documentation. The study explored what the concept of male role models means to young men in contact with welfare services and the professionals and volunteers who work with them. It examined whether the gender identity of the worker makes a difference to developing good quality relationships and how gender interacts with others aspects of identity such as class and ethnicity.
In partnership with a national charity, "Action for Children", it explored professional relationships with boys and young men in a range of projects catering for diverse needs and vulnerabilities. It aims to contribute to academic and policy debates and to suggest ways of improving professional practice. The study includes focus groups and individual interviews with young male service users, and interviews with male and female workers. The study received ethical approval from the Open University Human Research Ethics Committee.</p
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