Discusses the language difficulties that had to be overcome by the author when undertaking a comparative study of the experience of children in state care in Belgium (the region of Flanders), Great Britain (England), Spain (the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country) and Norway (the region of Hedmark). The countries were selected for the study as they represent specific welfare models. Basque County represents the 'Mediterranean model', England the 'neo-liberal welfare model', Flanders the 'corporatist-conservative' model and Hedmark the 'social-democratic model'. Reference is made to the difficulties of translating concepts rooted in historic and cultural traditions that have shaped current policies and styles of service delivery. Also examines the ways in which the different origins of welfare and social work practices have led to distinct ways of service delivery. To illustrate these factors practitioners were asked to assess what would happen to the child and the family in their country by answering a series of questions. Finally discusses how the use of a common framework to identify needs, set thresholds, chart services and assess outcomes across the countries can be useful for making meaningful international comparisons.
Discusses the language difficulties that had to be overcome by the author when undertaking a comparative study of the experience of children in state care in Belgium (the region of Flanders), Great Britain (England), Spain (the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country) and Norway (the region of Hedmark). The countries were selected for the study as they represent specific welfare models. Basque County represents the 'Mediterranean model', England the 'neo-liberal welfare model', Flanders the 'corporatist-conservative' model and Hedmark the 'social-democratic model'. Reference is made to the difficulties of translating concepts rooted in historic and cultural traditions that have shaped current policies and styles of service delivery. Also examines the ways in which the different origins of welfare and social work practices have led to distinct ways of service delivery. To illustrate these factors practitioners were asked to assess what would happen to the child and the family in their country by answering a series of questions. Finally discusses how the use of a common framework to identify needs, set thresholds, chart services and assess outcomes across the countries can be useful for making meaningful international comparisons.
Subject terms:
intervention, learning disabilities, models, research methods, social work, social work methods, vulnerable children, case studies, child care, children, comparative studies;