The problem which this paper seeks to address centres on three separate questions: Why focus on the social? Why focus on childhood? Why focus on those things now, at this point in history? The paper begins by explaining why these are critical questions for chidhood studies, particularly in the light of contemporary developments in other fields. The latter includes materialist and post-humanist turns in the social sciences, as well as a number of existential threats currently faced by humanity, which are arguably so urgent that time should not be wasted on other issues. The paper then offers some reflections on the meaning and purpose of social inquiry and its relevance for childhood, which in their turn form the basis for a suggested response to the initial three questions and a fresh justification for doing what we do, but in a way that takes account of the critical issues raised.
The problem which this paper seeks to address centres on three separate questions: Why focus on the social? Why focus on childhood? Why focus on those things now, at this point in history? The paper begins by explaining why these are critical questions for chidhood studies, particularly in the light of contemporary developments in other fields. The latter includes materialist and post-humanist turns in the social sciences, as well as a number of existential threats currently faced by humanity, which are arguably so urgent that time should not be wasted on other issues. The paper then offers some reflections on the meaning and purpose of social inquiry and its relevance for childhood, which in their turn form the basis for a suggested response to the initial three questions and a fresh justification for doing what we do, but in a way that takes account of the critical issues raised.
Subject terms:
children, childrens rights, social policy, social work approaches;
This article draws on a study of the outcomes and impact of independent advocacy for children and young people to explore how the value of advocacy is understood by them and by professionals, and what differences advocacy can make to the lives of children and young people. Findings indicate that outcomes of advocacy can be significant and wide-ranging, including both direct effects on the child
(Publisher abstract)
This article draws on a study of the outcomes and impact of independent advocacy for children and young people to explore how the value of advocacy is understood by them and by professionals, and what differences advocacy can make to the lives of children and young people. Findings indicate that outcomes of advocacy can be significant and wide-ranging, including both direct effects on the child or young person and wider impact on services. This has implications for how to capture and report the outcomes of advocacy, for which this article offers a new conceptual framework.
(Publisher abstract)
This book brings together key practitioners and thinkers from a wide range of contexts and countries to provide an overview of contemporary practice and theory in children and young people’s participation. Part I sets the tone by providing an historical perspective, highlighting the importance of the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Article 12 rights in particular...
This book brings together key practitioners and thinkers from a wide range of contexts and countries to provide an overview of contemporary practice and theory in children and young people’s participation. Part I sets the tone by providing an historical perspective, highlighting the importance of the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Article 12 rights in particular. The theoretical frameworks and models which underpin the thinking on participation are defined and matched against some examples of actual practice. Part I concludes with a case study. The second part is a comprehensive gathering of practical experiences of participation which is subdivided into 6 themed sections, each reflected upon by one commentator from both a minority and majority world. The emphasis throughout is on learning from the complexity of children’s participation as seen in practice and ways to improve on the theoretical knowledge gained. A third and final part examines new ways of thinking about children and young people’s participation, some of which may challenge current practice and help realise children’s rights and citizenship more fully in the future.
Subject terms:
participation, young people, children, childrens rights;
...and of changes in child care policy on the work of the committees and includes an account of the development of children's services plans.
Presents a detailed analysis of area child protection committees (APCs) and how they operate. Examines the policy role of the committees, the processes of representation, and the effectiveness of the committees' work both in directing practice and in responding to change. Also reports on research into how APCs deal with cases that go wrong. Considers the impact both of agency reorganisation and of changes in child care policy on the work of the committees and includes an account of the development of children's services plans.
This book is about how children communicate about matters of importance or difficulty, how they decide what to tell adults, how they organise themselves and their lives and how they deal with conflict in their own relationships and in the world around them. It is also about how adults can interact effectively with children at both an individual and societal level in ways that are sensitive...
This book is about how children communicate about matters of importance or difficulty, how they decide what to tell adults, how they organise themselves and their lives and how they deal with conflict in their own relationships and in the world around them. It is also about how adults can interact effectively with children at both an individual and societal level in ways that are sensitive to their feelings and empowering and supportive of their attempts at autonomy. The work has its origins in three extended seminars convened with a shared commitment to children as social actors. The authors focus on children living at the margins of society and assert that children are still frequently seen as apolitical. The growing global emphasis on participation remains adult-centred. The book questions many of the ways in which children are perceived, looking at them as political actors and at the micro politics of their interactions at all levels.
Qualitative Social Work, 4(3), September 2005, pp.271-292.
Publisher:
Sage
Prior to writing this article, the two authors (Bogolub, US and Thomas, UK) conducted separate qualitative research studies with foster children. After briefly describing their individual studies, the two authors engage in a cross-cultural dialogue based on their differing perspectives on the importance of birth parent consent for foster children’s research participation. The authors’ differences...
Prior to writing this article, the two authors (Bogolub, US and Thomas, UK) conducted separate qualitative research studies with foster children. After briefly describing their individual studies, the two authors engage in a cross-cultural dialogue based on their differing perspectives on the importance of birth parent consent for foster children’s research participation. The authors’ differences appear largely, although not exclusively, related to contrasts between a US academic culture, which often stresses the fiduciary relationship between parents and developing children, and a UK academic culture, which places more emphasis on children’s competence and independence. Conclusions center on the importance of cross-cultural dialogue as a way to promote considered decisions about the overlapping methodological and ethical questions that inevitably arise when doing research with children, particularly those involved with the child welfare system.
Subject terms:
qualitative research, research ethics, birth parents, children, foster care;
European Journal of Social Work, 12(2), 2009, pp.155-168.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
The attempt to give children an effective voice in social work processes which can have substantial impact on their lives takes different forms in countries with varying professional cultures and legal frameworks. This paper reports on a study of children's participation in decision-making in care and protection services in Norway, which was carried out in conjunction with a project to support...
The attempt to give children an effective voice in social work processes which can have substantial impact on their lives takes different forms in countries with varying professional cultures and legal frameworks. This paper reports on a study of children's participation in decision-making in care and protection services in Norway, which was carried out in conjunction with a project to support social work teams in enabling children to participate, using materials borrowed from England and Wales. The results showed that (a) taking an active part in decision-making did not correlate perfectly with (b) having an influence on the outcome. Cases were therefore classified as 'participation' or 'non-participation' using a combination of both the above criteria. Statistical analysis of the factors influencing children's participation enabled the proposition of a model which appeared to explain much of the variance. The results point to the inadequacy of equating social work conversation with children with effective participation in decision-making.
Subject terms:
outcomes, participation, young people, child protection, children, decision making;
British Journal of Social Work, 30(6), December 2000, pp.819-835.
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
This paper is concerned with children's involvement in decisions and with what happens when adults communicate with children to discover their thoughts and feelings. It is based on a study of the participation of children aged between 8 and 12 in decisions when they are looked after by local authorities. The paper briefly describes the research and its main findings, before going on to describe...
This paper is concerned with children's involvement in decisions and with what happens when adults communicate with children to discover their thoughts and feelings. It is based on a study of the participation of children aged between 8 and 12 in decisions when they are looked after by local authorities. The paper briefly describes the research and its main findings, before going on to describe aspects of the methodology in more detail. This leads to a discussion of the relationship between the methods used in the research and those used in the social work practice that was in part the subject of the research. The paper argues that, both in research and in practice, a commitment to involving children in decision making must go with a determination to find methods of communication that enable children to demonstrate their competence.
Subject terms:
looked after children, social work methods, social worker-service user relationships, user views, children, communication;
Adoption and Fostering, 21(2), Summer 1997, pp.56-57.
Publisher:
Sage
Describes research which attempts to explore the dilemmas of working in the best interests of children as well as listening to their wishes and feelings.
Describes research which attempts to explore the dilemmas of working in the best interests of children as well as listening to their wishes and feelings.
Subject terms:
looked after children, participation, surveys, user views, children, decision making;
Adoption and Fostering, 18(1), Spring 1994, pp.8-16.
Publisher:
Sage
Compares the findings of two studies carried out in 1989 and 1992 in one local authority, and examines what factors now influence why children wait for permanent placements.
Compares the findings of two studies carried out in 1989 and 1992 in one local authority, and examines what factors now influence why children wait for permanent placements.
Subject terms:
looked after children, planning, social services, adoption, children, foster care;