Showing papers in "Child Abuse Review in 2006"

The experiences of children living with and caring for parents with mental illness

Abstract: This research provides a three-way perspective on the experiences and needs of children who are living with and caring for parents with severe and enduring mental illness. The views of children, parents and key workers were sought in order to provide deeper insight into the needs of families and the nature of interfamilial relationships, as well as the relationships between service users and providers. Child protection and medical research has long proposed a link between parental mental illness and the risk to children of abuse, neglect and developmental delay. The inevitability of risk associations is challenged by the research described here and outcomes for children of caring for parents with mental illness are discussed not simply in terms of risk to children but more broadly in respect of, for example, positive parent–child relationships. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

From dependence to interdependence: towards better outcomes for young people leaving state care

Abstract: Young people leaving out of home care are arguably one of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in society. Compared to most young people, they face particular difficulties in accessing educational, employment, housing and other developmental and transitional opportunities. Care leavers have been found to experience significant health, social and educational deficits including homelessness, involvement in juvenile crime and prostitution, mental and physical health problems, poor educational and employment outcomes, inadequate social support systems and early parenthood. These poor outcomes reflect a number of factors including ongoing emotional trauma resulting from experiences of abuse and neglect prior to care, inadequate support while in care, accelerated transitions to adulthood and lack of guaranteed ongoing financial and other assistance to help facilitate this transition. Young people leaving care do not currently receive the ongoing support that a good parent would be expected to provide for their children. Using relevant literature from the USA, UK and Australia, this paper examines the factors that contribute to these poor outcomes and potential policy and practice reforms that may lead to better outcomes for care leavers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Agency policy and the participation of children and young people in the child protection process

Abstract: This article explores agency policy in relation to children's participation in the child protection process. This was done by examining policy documents and conference minutes and by interviewing social workers and conference chairs working in child protection in Wales. Issues and dilemmas surrounding the participation of children and young people in the child protection process are identified and examined. The lack of children's more direct participation was noted, but many agencies were taking action to inform themselves of children's views indirectly. Advocacy was being more frequently used, and highly valued where it was available, but did raise some role dilemmas. The essentially child-unfriendly nature of child protection processes (particularly the conferences) was identified as a significant barrier to promoting children's voices. The contradiction of trying to promote children's direct participation in a process that is inherently not geared towards their direct involvement was noted. The total lack of children's input into service planning for child protection services was seen as significant. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Boys are not sexually exploited? A challenge to practitioners

Abstract: This paper will argue that the view that ‘boys are not sexually exploited’ is unfortunately very common amongst many professionals working with vulnerable young men. It will look at some of the reasons for this and why it is essential for things to change in the future, in order to protect some of our most vulnerable young men under the age of 18 from further sexual abuse. This includes looking at why young men are not seen as at risk, the effect of wider societal attitudes to sex, the changing prostitution street scene, and the impact of the internet and mobile phones. Lastly, this paper looks at the effects of past sexual abuse on young men and the vulnerability of young men who are looked after. The paper draws on evidence collected from Barnardo’s Young Men’s Project (BYMP) which was originally established in 1989. Since its re-launch, in May 1999, it has been providing a free and confidential service aimed at preventing and reducing sexual exploitation of male children. BYMP is a London-wide service working specifically with boys and young men under 18 who are experiencing or who are vulnerable to sexual exploitation. Throughout the paper we will be using the term ‘sexual exploitation’ rather than abuse through prostitution, or child sexual abuse. This is to signify the importance of defining a spectrum of abusive relationships that can fall under the term sexual exploitation, rather than one single model of abuse (for more explanation on terminology and this definition, see Harper and Scott, 2005 and Scott and Skidmore, 2006).

‘From awareness to practice’: children, domestic violence and child welfare†

Abstract: This paper traces the development of social care practice in relation to child witnesses of domestic violence. It suggests that this development has been dominated by subsuming the needs of these children into a child protection process. The paper outlines how this has led to significant (but often unclear) legal and policy initiatives which have failed, as yet, to be translated into practice. The paper argues that there are a number of important reasons why child witnesses of domestic violence should not always be assumed to need the response of a child protection system and that a future practice, legal and policy response should be based on a wider understanding of their needs. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Threshold decisions: how social workers prioritize referrals of child concern

Abstract: This paper examines local authority social workers' decision-making when considering referrals of children, where the concerns are on the margin of child protection procedures. In doing so, it describes the findings of a qualitative research study undertaken in the policy context of attempts to ‘refocus’ social work practice in the late 1990s and early twenty-first century. Data collection involved interviews with social workers and parents in 23 cases. Conclusions are that referrals were evaluated on the basis of five key factors, specificity, severity, risk, parental accountability and corroboration, the use of which determined whether an initial assessment or an investigation of alleged abuse took place. The analysis builds on previous work in the child protection field, but demonstrates how the application of these factors differs between cases of child concern and cases of child protection. Policy implications concern the complexity of decision-making in the uncertain context of limited referral information and it is proposed that the simplistic notion of a continuum of abuse is now outdated. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Co‐operating and communicating: a European perspective on integrating services for children

Abstract: This paper looks at the range of differences within European child protection systems and considers the relationship between different approaches and the integration of children and family services. A distinction is made between structures that are child and family welfare focused, and those that are child protection focused. Some of the different structures of service delivery are described and the effect of these structures on the roles of the main stakeholders (and therefore on integration of services) is considered. Reference is made to a practice-based research project that considered co-operation and communication between health and welfare services in 12 countries. This research provides examples of different ways of integrating services and encouraging co-operation. It is not possible to construct ‘league tables’ of best performing structures and services cross-nationally because there are no reliably comparable statistics, but the research project gave indications of the factors that contributed to better communication and to better outcomes. Structure did not seem to be of primary importance, though it might help or hinder. However, with co-operation, very different structures could work effectively. In general, high levels of material resources helped. However, professional time was the most important resource, because time was needed to develop effective working relationships with other professionals. The factors that facilitated good interdisciplinary and interagency work point to the centrality of a professional and managerial culture that values the development of good working relationships both with families and with other professionals. Conflictual and defensive inter-professional relationships created problems, however well organized the system. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

What appears to be helping or hindering practitioners in implementing the Common Assessment Framework and lead professional working

Abstract: The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) and lead professional (LP) working are part of a government strategy in England and Wales for earlier intervention and more integrated services for children and families. A national government evaluation studied the early piloting stage of implementation of CAF and LP working in 12 English trialling group areas. Initial findings suggest a number of interlocking factors, which seem to either help or hinder the process of implementation. Where there is enthusiasm for the work and a clear structure, which is understood and internalized by practitioners, CAF and LP are promoting better multi-agency working, helping agencies to come together much faster and enabling more rigorous follow-through of services. Hindrances include the lack of a local history of successful multi-agency working, which seemed in turn to breed professional mistrust and fuel anxiety. Anxiety is also generated by fears about change and lack of confidence in new skills. For many practitioners aspects of this work are new and the emotional impact of the work needs to be acknowledged in support and training. The task of local implementation would be easier if there were firmer national guidance about CAF and LP roles and processes, for example a single nationally approved CAF form. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Who needs to be involved in safeguarding sexually exploited young people

Abstract: Our current professional discourses of sexual exploitation see young people as victims of child sexual abuse. Following government guidance, sexually exploited young people are supported through interventions co-ordinated by Local Authority Safeguarding Children Boards (Department of Health/Home Office, 2000). However, no discourses are ever static or set in stone, and these too have their tensions. This article explores some of these tensions, questioning whether there are understandings of sexual exploitation that do not fit so comfortably within the child protection framework. It draws on a range of issues arising from research and practice, including research findings from case study work with 55 young women who were at risk of, or who experienced sexual exploitation (Pearce et al., 2002). The paper suggests that some problems facing sexually exploited young people can be best addressed through interventions that draw on child protection, domestic violence and detached youth work policies and procedures. Language: en

Participation and young people involved in prostitution

Abstract: This paper discusses a campaign which involves young people with experience of prostitution in influencing policy and practice which affects this group: the National Youth Campaign on Sexual Exploitation (the Youth Campaign). It is argued that participation is critical to improving outcomes for young people involved in prostitution, yet is often overlooked. Through participation, young people with experience of prostitution can build their self-esteem whilst also helping agencies and policy makers develop more effective strategies on youth prostitution. The paper examines in detail one piece of work undertaken by the Youth Campaign: a workshop run by two young women at a national conference on sexual exploitation. In addition, it gives an overview of current research, policy and practice on participation and young people involved in prostitution and makes recommendations for how practice in this area could be improved. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Integrating children's services to promote children's welfare: early findings from the implementation of children's trusts in England

Abstract: As part of the reform of English children's services, children's trust pathfinders were launched in 2003 by the British government to promote greater inter-agency co-operation between children's services and professionals This paper reports on early findings from a multi-method, longitudinal national evaluation of the implementation and impact of all 35 children's trust pathfinders Using data from a 2004 survey of 35 children's trusts managers and in-depth interviews with 107 professionals conducted in 2005, results show strong endorsement of an integrated children's service vision However, arrangements for co-operation on governance and strategic developments were more advanced than for procedural or frontline professional practice In this transitional period, professionals were negotiating a balance between targeted and universal service provision and, concurrently, establishing the scope of formal strategic partnership bodies (including local safeguarding children boards) with potentially overlapping remits Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Does the mandate make a difference? reporting decisions in emotional abuse

Abstract: Mandated (N = 57) and non-mandated (N = 94) reporters were questioned as to their perceptions of the seriousness of 20 vignettes related to child emotional abuse, as well as their willingness to report the actions contained in the vignettes to child protective services. No difference was observed between mandated and non-mandated reporters on the mean number of vignettes considered reportable. In addition, several psychosocial variables, including perceptions of teasing, political viewpoint, tendencies towards diffuse responsibility, perceptions of child protective services (CPS) and attitude towards helping others, were measured. Separate regression equations for mandated and non-mandated reporters showed two different models in predicting reporting tendencies. Mandated reporters were most affected by the seriousness of the situation and their willingness to engage in prosocial behaviour, whereas non-mandated reporters were most motivated by judgements of the seriousness of the abusive situation and their faith in child protective services. Being a male was also observed to be more predictive of reporting for non-mandated reporters. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Making integration happen: the families first policy experience

Abstract: This paper explores the implementation experience of a child and family policy with ambitious integration goals. The questions to be addressed here focus on the factors that facilitated integration, those that hindered it, and the meanings in practice of integration at the levels of service delivery, planning, and management. The policy is Families First, implemented in New South Wales, the largest state in Australia, beginning in 1998. Families First is an ambitious state-wide initiative that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of children aged from birth to eight years, by supporting parents and carers. This is to be achieved by the development of a coordinated network of prevention and early intervention services that identifies children and families who require further assistance and links them to appropriate support early, before problems become entrenched. Based on the process evaluation of Families First’s implementation, this paper argues that successful implementation of Families First as an integration policy was characterized by high levels of participation from a range of actors. We found a number of factors facilitated integration: inclusive practice; building relationships; empowerment; and time and resources. These findings also, however, raise larger questions about the application of integration policies in an early childhood context, where these facilitators are known to be in short supply. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Risk Assessment of Sex Offenders: the Current Position in the UK

Abstract: This paper examines the various risk factors that are considered in the current risk assessments used with sex offenders, and the strengths and weaknesses of each. In addition, particular attention is given to the assessments that are currently employed within the prison and probation services. Static instruments, dynamic instruments and combined approaches are evaluated, as are clinical assessments of risk. In particular, the now commonly used joint Prison-Probation Offender Assessment System risk prediction instrument (OASys) is considered, with an evaluation of the relevance of the factors included in making an assessment of risk and whether this is supported by research into recidivism amongst sex offenders. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Meeting the needs of sexually exploited young people: the challenge of conducting policy-relevant research

Abstract: This article is concerned with the relationship between research, policy and service development. It outlines some of the findings of a two-year research study exploring the extent of, and responses to, the service needs of young people at risk of sexual exploitation in London. The study is described as a case study in conducting policy-relevant research into a 'hidden' social problem. Some challenges of such research are identified. In particular, we discuss our utilisation of the Multiple Indicator Method as a means of estimating a 'hard to count' population. Keywords: Juvenile justice; Human trafficking

The role of child care social work in supporting families with children in need and providing protective services—past, present and future

Abstract: This article examines the way in which child care social work with deprived families has changed and developed since the inception of Children's Departments in 1948. It is argued that between 1948 and 1970 child care social workers enjoyed a fair measure of social support. A variety of reasons are considered for explaining this—specialization, smallness of size, privacy and a consensus about the needs of children. From the early 1970s it is argued that broader societal changes, including a shift away from social solidarity towards individualism, organizational changes and the advent of child abuse as a public concern, resulted in conflicting demands on child care social workers and a subsequent loss of credibility and confidence. The 1990s have seen a return to emphasis on family support policies which has been further accelerated in the new millennium by New Labour's stated commitment to eliminating child poverty and creating better life opportunities for all children. The implications of these new developments for child care social workers engaged in meeting the needs of children living in highly disadvantaged families are considered. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Emotional harm and neglect: the legal response

Abstract: This paper reports on a study of the extent to which child protection applications brought to the Melbourne Children's Court in Victoria, Australia, were based on emotional/psychological harm or neglect of a child and what factors were presented as evidence of harm or neglect. The study examined records of 208 court-ordered pre-trial conferences heard in the court between February and July 2002. What was found was that, although cases involving emotional abuse have increased in terms of child protection applications, they remain cases that are difficult to decide. While in 1998/9 emotional harm was a ground in 25.7% of child protection matters completed in the Family Division of the Children's Court of Victoria, legal decision-makers are reluctant to make a finding of child abuse in these cases because there is less accuracy in the determination of emotional harm and negligible legal criteria available to guide decision-making. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Forging the links: (de)constructing chains of behaviours

Abstract: This paper will discuss an article by Becker and French (2005) in this Journal which proposed the general acceptance of correlations or the "links" between child abuse, animal abuse and domestic violence. Becker and French claim this topic has 'seen a growth of interest' (p. 399) over the past two decades and they suggest that organizations across the UK should 'institutionalize the "links" within policy and practice' (p. 410). In this paper we question the appropriateness of linking different forms of violence in such a mechanistic and predictive way by drawing on and extending arguments we have made elsewhere. We consider the proposed links in terms of assumptions, definitions, methods and logic, and raise concerns for a prospective practice which is based on retrospective (and flawed) research. We aim to appeal to influential doubters (social workers, child care workers, animal welfare workers, vets, educators and policy-makers) in a language of 'reason', and we propose that the identified reluctance of professionals in the UK to adopt the rhetoric of 'links' can be viewed as an informed and reflective response. Throughout, we offer a corrective commentary to the flawed assumptions of the 'links' argument and seek to encourage others to remain sceptical about these claims and the suggested implications for practice.

Child witness support and preparation: are parents/caregivers ignored?

Abstract: Over recent decades research has confirmed the sensible belief that to participate in criminal proceedings (that were designed for adults) child witnesses may benefit from support and preparation. This is so even in countries where special measures have been introduced to make it less arduous for children to give their testimony (e.g. closed circuit television to allow children to testify away from the actual courtroom; video recorded evidence-in-chief). Indeed, it could be argued that as more and more children provide testimony (e.g. as alleged victims or witnesses), the more comprehensive should be preparation and support programmes for them. However, while in some countries preparation and support programmes are now offered to such children, the needs of these children’s (non-offending) parents/caregivers seem to be ignored. This paper contends not only that these adults need preparation and support but also that the provision of this is likely to benefit child witnesses. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

' Integrating Objects of Intervention and Organisational Relevance: The Case of Safeguarding Children Missing from Education Systems',

Abstract: At the early stages of the development of integrated services, a study that examined the views of children and their carers on being missing from education is drawn upon to highlight two key issues that connect with the integration agenda: identifying the object of intervention and altering frames of organizational relevance. It is argued that if the proposed national outcome framework for England is to be meaningfully achieved (being healthy, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution, staying safe and achieving economic well being) within new service configurations, children's problems can no longer be fragmented into objects of organizational or professional expertise. Organizational relevance must adjust to enable the service user's (in this case children's, young people's, and their parents'/carers') framing of problems to be communicated, heard, and responded to. Three cases are presented for illustrative purposes, which show (i) the continued fragmentation of the service user's problem into objects of organizational relevance and (ii) the impact of this fragmentation on outcomes for children. Following presentation of the cases, a policy discussion is offered, which highlights a number of factors that undermined agencies' efforts to offer a joined-up and holistic service in this particular local context. The study draws links between this particular local context and issues of national relevance and concludes that, for the families in this study, problems presented to agencies continued to be framed according to organizationally relevant concerns and practical realities. This process occurred in spite of efforts by children, young people, and their parents/carers to steer diverse professionals involved with their lives down a more individually relevant path. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Standards – a new baseline for interagency training and education to safeguard children?

Abstract: In April 2003, a research team drawn from the nursing (Salford Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Collaborative Research) and social work (Salford Centre for Social Work Research) research centres at the University of Salford undertook a research project which explored the nature of standards of education and training in interagency work in England. This project was sponsored by the General Social Care Council (GSCC), which reported to the Department of Health and the new safeguarding children section of the Department for Education and Skills. The project came about as a direct result of the continuing difficulties in interagency collaboration which were highlighted in the Laming Inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbie (Lord Laming, 2003). The timescales for undertaking the work were significant. Because the project was to feed into the process of developing Keeping Children Safe (DfES et al., 2003), the Government’s direct response to the Victoria Climbie Inquiry and the Green Paper Every Child Matters (DfES, 2003), effectively the relaunch of the Government’s child care agenda, the research was to take place between April and September 2003.

Whose job is poverty? the problems of therapeutic intervention with children who are sexually violent

Abstract: Children who commit sexually violent acts have been identified in increasing numbers since the 1980s Professionals who practise therapeutic intervention with this group have struggled to find explanations for their client's deviant behaviour Current explanations for, and discourses on, the occurrence of sexual violence minimize the effect of poverty in the therapeutic arena The most difficult and worrisome child clients for participants of this research are the poor ones, yet the practice of counselling is unable to address structural disadvantage This leads to a poverty culture explanation for sexual violence and child abuse which recognizes poverty yet pathologizes the individual The identification of a new problem—children's sexual violence—the individualized case-based approach to intervention and current social policy minimize the continuing and persistent problem of poverty Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

The mental health of mothers of physically abused children: the relationship with children's behavioural problems—report from Japan

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the mental health of mothers of physically abused children and the relationship between the mothers' mental health and the children using well-established research instruments and to compare this with comparison group data. The purpose was to examine the extent of correlation between these variables in Japan and to start the process of unpacking the complexities of the various potential causal relationships. There was a much higher rate of both manual occupation and single mothers in the abused group compared to the comparison group. In this study, there were two types of single mother: mothers who divorced or separated from the children's biological or step fathers who had been abusing their children and single mothers who were themselves abusing their children. Although the study focused on mothers, the majority of perpetrators in the sample were fathers. There is the possibility that mothers experienced physical abuse from current or previous partners. Our results showed a statistical correlation between children's total scores on the CBCL and two subscales of the GHQ completed by mothers in the families of abused children: somatic symptoms and social dysfunction. In addition, children's perceptions of mothers have been found to operate as a mediator of both internalizing and externalizing symptomatology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)

Protecting and Empowering

Abstract: Policy and research aimed at safeguarding children often appears to oscillate between the two poles of protecting and empowering. Protectionist approaches are inclined to emphasize children and young people’s vulnerability in the face of harm and this passive construction of childhood produces response systems which focus on parents’ care and behaviour (Parton, 2006). Empowering approaches emphasize children’s agency and assert their rights to participation and consultation in the design and delivery of interventions. It is argued that by exercising the capacity to make choices and decisions, children can build the resilience which offers protection from harm. However, such approaches are open to the charge of tokenism when they offer children a voice but little real power to affect decisions and services. Practitioners are also mindful that children and young people will not always prioritize their own safety. Like adults, they will sometimes opt to remain in abusive relationships or situations. Practitioners can find it hard to regard such choices as empowering. There are also some underexplored questions about how old or mature a child needs to be before they can contribute in a meaningful way to planning and decision-making processes. The first two papers in this issue of Child Abuse Review explore the opportunities for children and young people to be treated as active partners in situations where families have identified needs and risks may be high for children. Aldridge argues for the value of allocating children and young people who live with their parents’ mental illness the status of young carers and for assessing their needs in this capacity. Her research found that parents could retain parental status in situations where young people were taking on household and child care responsibilities and that young carers could benefit from services which recognized and validated their caring role. She argues that assessment of parenting capacity needs to take account of the fluctuating nature of mental health needs, so raising questions about the flexibility of assessment tools and processes (Sidebotham, 2001). She also reports that concerns about losing care of their children may lead parents with mental health problems to avoid seeking support. This has been noted in respect of both mental health and children’s services (Stanley et al., 2003), and families’ distrust of