Child abuse as a complex and wicked problem: Reflecting on policy developments in the United Kingdom in working with children and families with multiple problems

Devaney, John; Spratt, Trevor

doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2008.12.003

Cited by 108 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Another striking feature of families in the present study relates to the 'multiplicity of issues' described by Devaney and Spratt (2009). Families often faced complex and inter-related health problems, and difficulties were exacerbated by poor management of health needs, linked to other problems such as stress, depression, anxiety and substance misuse.…”

Section: The Health Needs Of Families Referred To Family Interventionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Physical Cultures of Stigmatisation: Health Policy & Social Class

Rich

Pian

Francombe-Webb

2015

Sociological Research Online

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In recent years, the increasing regulation of people's health and bodies has been exacerbated by a contemporary ‘obesity discourse’ centred on eating less, exercising more and losing weight. This paper contributes to the growing body of work critically examining this discourse and highlights the way physical activity and health policy directed at ‘tackling’ the obesity ‘crisis’ in the UK articulates numerous powerful discourses that operate to legitimise and privilege certain ways of knowing and usher forth certain desirable forms of embodiment. This has given greater impetus to further define the role of physical activity, sport and physical education as instruments for addressing public health agendas. It is argued that these policies have particular implications for social class through their constitution of (un)healthy and (in)active ‘working class’ bodies. One of the most powerful forms of stigmatisation and discrimination circulating within contemporary health emerges when the social and cultural tensions of social class intersect with obesity discourse and its accompanying imperatives related to physical activity and diet. This raises some important questions about the future of sport and physical activity as it is shaped by the politics of broader health agendas and our position within this terrain as ‘critics’. Consequently, the latter part of the paper offers reflections on the nature and utility of our (and others’) social science critique in the politics of obesity and articulates the need for crossing disciplinary and sectoral borders.

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Section: The Health Needs Of Families Referred To Family Interventionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Physical Cultures of Stigmatisation: Health Policy & Social Class

Rich

Pian

Francombe-Webb

2015

Sociological Research Online

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“…A focus on risk and short-term outcomes tends to fit with a technical-rational approach to the management of child abuse. A focus on needs and longer-term outcomes, however, moves away from the idea of a technical response and suggests an understanding of child abuse as an altogether more complex issue (Devaney & Spratt, 2009 Webber's (1973) distinction between 'wicked' and 'tame' problems is helpful here.…”

Section: Child Protection As a 'Wicked Problem'?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We consider how the different approaches to professional judgement in assessment have developed, discuss how the concept is understood and applied within each national framework, and ask what we can learn from each in terms of best assessment practice. Acknowledging child protection as an area of uncertainty -a 'wicked problem' (Devaney & Spratt, 2009;Rittel & Webber, 1973) -we propose a model of Grounded Professional Judgement based on notions of epistemic accountability and responsibility as a way forward. While this paper discusses systems and practices in two specific contexts, we suggest that dealing with situations of complexity and uncertainty is core to social work practice, so the issues raised here will have relevance to practice in other national settings.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of professional judgement in social work assessment: a comparison between Norway and England

Samsonsen

Turney

2016

European Journal of Social Work

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“…Addressing the 'wicked problem' of family violence requires policies and leadership focused on an integrated approach. The challenge in resolving family violence is the diversity of stakeholders, their relatively siloed ways of working, and the differing language and approaches they take (Devaney and Spratt, 2009). It also requires changing the attitudes and behaviours of those working with victims and perpetrators of this socially complex problem.…”

Section: Integrated Servicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Family violence as a 'wicked' problem and the continued disjuncture with simplistic practice Family violence is often described in policy as a 'wicked' problem, meaning a problem that is both complex and resists resolution (Devaney and Spratt, 2009). Family violence is ongoing, frequently spanning multiple relationships, and inherent in the complexities of people's lives: their histories of interpersonal violence, colonisation, deprivation, and the structural discrimination and barriers they endure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Becoming better helpers: rethinking language to move beyond simplistic responses to women experiencing intimate partner violence

Wilson¹,

Smith²,

Tolmie³

et al. 2015

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The prevalence of family violence is a persistent challenge facing New Zealand. Its effects are pervasive, spanning multiple levels: individuals, family/wha -nau, communities, and society in general. A major challenge in effectively addressing family violence is the apparent disconnect that exists between the various agencies and services that interact with families/wha -nau where abuse has become a defining feature of their lives. Despite efforts by agencies to become more collaborative, they tend to function in silos. In conducting a series of death reviews the Family Violence Death Review Committee has found agency records to reveal a lack of shared understanding of intimate partner violence as a gendered problem. The records misconstrue victims' and perpetrators' roles and convey distorted notions about the realities of victims' lives and the context of the violence they suffer. This leads to practices that put victims and their children at further risk. In this article we discuss findings related to the use of language and the concept of empowerment that need to be critically considered by those working with victims and perpetrators and those planning and designing family violence responses and services.

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Child abuse as a complex and wicked problem: Reflecting on policy developments in the United Kingdom in working with children and families with multiple problems

Cited by 108 publications

References 24 publications

Physical Cultures of Stigmatisation: Health Policy & Social Class

Physical Cultures of Stigmatisation: Health Policy & Social Class

The role of professional judgement in social work assessment: a comparison between Norway and England

Becoming better helpers: rethinking language to move beyond simplistic responses to women experiencing intimate partner violence

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