Processes of Discernment when Considering Issues of Neglect in Child Protection Practice

Abstract

The researchers describe a study conducted to explore how child protection practitioners negotiate their way through ambiguous and contradictory evidence when working with families under a suspicion of neglect. In depth interviews were conducted in order to understand the processes of discernment that practitioners used to determine how to proceed. Through our practitioners' practice narratives, we provide a glimpse into the complex relationship between discernment, identity and contexts where neglect is a concern. Implications for training, education, and practice are included.

Redrawing the line: An exploration of how lay people construct child neglect

“…Whilst research has explored professional constructions of child neglect in different jurisdictions (e.g. Stone 1998;Gardner 2008;Horwath 2005;Horwath 2007;Hoskins & White 2010;Burgess et al 2012;Tufford et al 2015) little has been done to explore lay constructions of the concept. When asked, lay people in Britain state that they are concerned about child neglect and how best to respond to neglected children (Action for Children, 2009;Burgess et al, 2012Burgess et al, , 2014Burgess, Daniel, Scott, Mulley, & Dobbin, 2013;Daniel et al, 2011;Gardner, 2008).…”

Anti-Black Racism In Child Welfare

“…Parents explained that workers that were perceived in positive ways were those that were caring, genuine, those that provided exceptional help, workers who listened, and workers who were non-judgmental and accepting (Maiter, Palmer, & Manji, 2006). Some workers felt that they needed to have a strong relationship with clients (Hoskins & White, 2009). Workers that were perceived in negative ways were those that were judgmental, cold and uncaring, critical and insincere (Maiter, Palmer, & Manji, 2006).…”

“…Some parents and grandparents noted that they wondered if their efforts would ever meet the standards of child welfare (Miller, Cahn, & Orellana, 2012). Hoskins and White (2009) further add to this conversation by talking about how frontline workers' decisions to apprehend can be connected to how they view themselves as a professional. Thus, Hoskins and White (2009) ask us to consider worker subjectivity and how that may be shaped by the agency.…”

“…Hoskins and White (2009) further add to this conversation by talking about how frontline workers' decisions to apprehend can be connected to how they view themselves as a professional. Thus, Hoskins and White (2009) ask us to consider worker subjectivity and how that may be shaped by the agency.…”

Anti-Black Racism in Child Welfare

“…Parents explained that workers that were perceived in positive ways were those that were caring, genuine, those that provided exceptional help, workers who listened, and workers who were non-judgmental and accepting (Maiter, Palmer, & Manji, 2006). Some workers felt that they needed to have a strong relationship with clients (Hoskins & White, 2009). Workers that were perceived in negative ways were those that were judgmental, cold and uncaring, critical and insincere (Maiter, Palmer, & Manji, 2006).…”