Family members' perspectives of child protection services, a metasynthesis of the literature. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bekaert, S.; Paavilainen, E.; Schecke, H.; Baldacchino, A.; Jouet, E.; Zabłocka – Żytka, L.; Bachi, B.; Bartoli, F.; Carrà, G.; Cioni, R.M.; Crocamo, C.; Appleton, J.V.
• Is Part Of: Children and youth services review. Volume 128(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: Children's social care -- Child welfare services -- Child protection -- Family experience -- Metasynthesis; 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.2021.106094
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0190-7409

Abstract

Highlights: Family members often feel disempowered and pre-judged by the worker and the child protection system. To achieve partnership with family members, the worker must work to redress this power imbalance. The worker can lay practical foundations to establish trust between family members and workers. Trust between family members and worker mitigates when legislative power has to be implemented. Children and young people in particular looked for security through continuity with their worker. Abstract: This metasynthesis brings together what is known about family members' perspectives of their relationship with social care practitioners as a starting point for developing a pan-European training resource for practitioners. Four databases were searched for qualitative literature with search terms relating to family members and social care practitioners. After the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 35 studies were critically appraised and were included in the metasynthesis. Three broad themes were identified through a thematic analysis of the studies' findings: family members' perspectives of the system; perceptions of how they were viewed by their worker; and view of their worker. The following aspects are discussed: whether partnership between family and worker is possible within a legal framework; the detrimental effects of cultural bias; and practical foundations for building trust. Recommendations are made for practical support, reflection on cultural practice and broader service provision.