Care order templates as institutional scripts in child protection: A cross-system analysis. (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Berrick, Jill Duerr; Dickens, Jonathan; Pösö, Tarja; Skivenes, Marit
• Is Part Of: Children and youth services review. Volume 84(2018)
• Page Start: 40
• Page End: 47
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: Child welfare -- Care order preparations -- Institutional scripts -- Discretion -- Cross-country comparisons; Social work with children -- Periodicals; Social work with youth -- Periodicals; Adolescent -- Periodicals; Child Welfare -- Periodicals; Social Work -- Periodicals; Service social aux enfants -- Périodiques; Service social à la jeunesse -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 362.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.11.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0190-7409

Abstract

Abstract: This article compares blank care order application templates used in four countries (England, Finland, Norway, and USA (California)), treating them as a vital part of the 'institutional scripts' that shape practice, and embody state principles of child protection. The templates are used when child protection agencies apply to court for a care order, usually to remove a child from the family home. The templates prescribe and shape the type of information and analysis that is required justify such an extreme level of state intervention in family life. They are a mechanism and a manifestation of the principles and the legislation of each child welfare system, and are able to cast light on issues that might otherwise remain unseen or unnoticed in cross-country comparisons. The analysis of the documents compares the language and form of the four blank templates, their inter-textuality, their readership, and authors. The analysis highlights the discretionary space allocated to social workers across countries and the state frameworks within which child protection efforts are embedded. Highlights: Templates are manifestations of the principles of each child welfare system. Templates recode and redefine the experiences of children and families, and the interactions between families and the state. The analysis casts light on issues that might otherwise remain unseen and unnoticed in cross-country comparisons.