‘Wishes and feelings’: Misunderstandings and missed opportunities for participation in child protection proceedings

Abstract

The gathering of 'wishes and feelings' in UK child protection proceedings (s.53Children Act 2004) should highlight the child's opinion of social work intervention and services provided. However, with no statutory social work guidance on participation currently in place, children frequently miss opportunities to be involved in their own child protection planning. This paper is drawn from a 3-year study into participation in child protection social work. It includes findings from qualitative interviews, and one focus group, with social workers, parents, children and participation workers, from three local authorities in the United Kingdom. The findings revealed some examples of significant gaps in service provision, particularly from the perspective and understanding of the child. The skewed translation of wishes and feelings legislation, along with its subsequent (and often inadequate) application to practice, prevents children from understanding and responding to social work intervention and can lead to idiosyncratic practice. This paper provides recommendations for a practical response to practitioner dilemmas regarding wishes and feelings and bridges the gap between research and practice.

Children's Human Rights to ‘Participation’ and ‘Protection’: Rethinking the relationship using Barnahus as a case example

“…There has been increasing attention to the role of participation in child protection practice, much of which acknowledges that the culture of the child protection system itself limits the time and capacity of professionals to engage with children and their families in a trusting and relational manner (Dillon, 2021; Featherstone et al, 2012; van Bijleveld et al, 2020; Warrington et al, 2019). The system is not considered child‐friendly and as such limits the capacity of children, in particular, to participate effectively (Dillon, 2021; van Bijleveld et al, 2015).…”

“…There has been increasing attention to the role of participation in child protection practice, much of which acknowledges that the culture of the child protection system itself limits the time and capacity of professionals to engage with children and their families in a trusting and relational manner (Dillon, 2021; Featherstone et al, 2012; van Bijleveld et al, 2020; Warrington et al, 2019). The system is not considered child‐friendly and as such limits the capacity of children, in particular, to participate effectively (Dillon, 2021; van Bijleveld et al, 2015). Moreover, Vis et al (2012) suggest that participation is often considered an event rather than an integral part of the overall child protection process and, as such, it is not given adequate value (time, resources and space) within the process – it is not embedded in culture and practice despite the desire by many to involve children.…”

“…Moreover, Vis et al (2012) suggest that participation is often considered an event rather than an integral part of the overall child protection process and, as such, it is not given adequate value (time, resources and space) within the process – it is not embedded in culture and practice despite the desire by many to involve children. Several scholars have demonstrated that social workers, for example, often feel insecure about communicating with children (Dillon, 2021; Ruch et al, 2017; Winter, 2009; Winter et al, 2017).…”

Recognising the Embedded Child: Children’s Participation, Child Protection Inequities and Cultural Capital in Child Protection

“…One study, for example, found that issues such as team specialisation, that required children to change key relationships constantly, impeded participation, as did the physical space of offices that were seldom desgined to facilitate personal conversations (Seim & Slettebø, 2017). Others note that the often pressured context of child protection and the conflicting demands to both protect children and encourage their active participation can lead to confusion in practice and tick-box approaches to participation (Dillon, 2021;Cossar et al, 2016;Toros, 2021). Similarly, the involuntary nature of child protection can lead to the resistance of both parents and children to participatory practices (Dillon, 2021).…”

“…Others note that the often pressured context of child protection and the conflicting demands to both protect children and encourage their active participation can lead to confusion in practice and tick-box approaches to participation (Dillon, 2021;Cossar et al, 2016;Toros, 2021). Similarly, the involuntary nature of child protection can lead to the resistance of both parents and children to participatory practices (Dillon, 2021).…”