Decision-Making processes in the child protection system: A comparative study between students and professionals in Portugal. Issue 1 (2nd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carvalho, João M. S.; Pinto, Vânia S.; Delgado, Paulo
• Is Part Of: Journal of family trauma, child custody & child development. Volume 17:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 58
• Page End: 75
• Publication Date: 2020-01-02
• Subjects: Attitudes -- decision on removal -- professionals -- risk assessment -- students; Family violence -- Periodicals; Dysfunctional families -- Periodicals; Child abuse -- Periodicals; Child welfare -- Periodicals; Victims of family violence -- Periodicals; Custody of children -- Periodicals; Family services -- Periodicals; Child development -- Periodicals; 362.82
• DOI: 10.1080/15379418.2020.1729922
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2690-4586

Abstract

Abstract: This research aims to achieve a better understanding of factors that influence the assessments and decisions of professionals and students about the possibility to remove a child at risk from her birth family. The study also analyzes the influence of the attitudes of the child's mother on that decision. It was used a questionnaire based on a case vignette of alleged child maltreatment. Compared with students, professionals were more pro-removal, more in favor of reunification and parents' participation in the decisions, and had a higher assessment of emotional abuse, and emotional and physical neglect. Mother's wish did not show to have any impact in the two samples regarding maltreatment, risk assessments, and intervention recommendations.