... was then accommodated with foster carers with the parents’ agreement under section 20 of the Children Act 1989 and is safe and well. The parents were subsequently arrested although a police investigation was unable to establish a burden of proof sufficient to meet the thresholds for a criminal prosecution. The Serious Case Review commissioned by Neath Port Talbot Safeguarding Children Board recommended
This executive summary reports the serious case of review relating to Child EQ who was identified as being the victim of fabricated or induced illness. EQ was the first born child of a mother aged 20 years and a father aged 24 years. The mother was reported to be a childcare worker. Between the ages of 3 and 9½ months, Child EQ had 25 separate medical assessments including 8 admissions to hospital and 7 Out of Hours emergencies including presentations at A and E. The presenting concerns included vomiting, diarrhoea, skin rashes, possible lactose intolerance, wheezes and coughs, possible asthma. At 9 ½ months Child EQ was taken to hospital following a convulsion. A toxicology report revealed the presence of prescription medication, which would be for adult use only. Child EQ was then accommodated with foster carers with the parents’ agreement under section 20 of the Children Act 1989 and is safe and well. The parents were subsequently arrested although a police investigation was unable to establish a burden of proof sufficient to meet the thresholds for a criminal prosecution. The Serious Case Review commissioned by Neath Port Talbot Safeguarding Children Board recommended that the lessons from this case be disseminated to all staff through single and multi agency training on the issues involved with fabricated illness.
Subject terms:
parents, serious case reviews, babies, fabricated or induced illness;
DISABILITY, PREGNANCY AND PARENTHOOD INTERNATIONAL
Publisher:
Disability, Pregnancy and Parenthood International
Publication year:
2011
Pagination:
44p.
Place of publication:
London
Of an estimated 53,000 parents with a learning disability in England, around half will face the family courts, and the removal of their children from their care. Yet when parents' individual support needs are addressed, many are able to successfully develop parenting skills and care for their own children. However, professionals are often ill equipped to provide the support needed. This booklet is aimed at professionals and students who work with parents with a learning disability. It contains a brief introduction to some of the issues faced by this group of parents, along with a collection of resources and contacts. These include: national organisations, websites and contacts that can provide further information; local projects and services; accessible information for parents; tools, guidance
Of an estimated 53,000 parents with a learning disability in England, around half will face the family courts, and the removal of their children from their care. Yet when parents' individual support needs are addressed, many are able to successfully develop parenting skills and care for their own children. However, professionals are often ill equipped to provide the support needed. This booklet is aimed at professionals and students who work with parents with a learning disability. It contains a brief introduction to some of the issues faced by this group of parents, along with a collection of resources and contacts. These include: national organisations, websites and contacts that can provide further information; local projects and services; accessible information for parents; tools, guidance and resources for professionals; and further reading for professionals.
It is estimated that 2 million children and young people in the UK are affected by parents’ drug or alcohol misuse. For many of these young people, daily life can be unpredictable and tough at times. There are young people who cope better if they can get support from people they trust. This booklet is based on research with young people, whose parents have problems with drugs or alcohol, to find parents and families so that they can better understand the experiences and concerns of young people affected by this issue.
It is estimated that 2 million children and young people in the UK are affected by parents’ drug or alcohol misuse. For many of these young people, daily life can be unpredictable and tough at times. There are young people who cope better if they can get support from people they trust. This booklet is based on research with young people, whose parents have problems with drugs or alcohol, to find out more about what it is like living in a family affected by parental substance misuse and what helps them cope. This booklet has been written for the young people who took part in the study (Juggling harms: coping with parental substance misuse, 2011, Houmøller et al.) so that they, and other young people, can read about what we found out. It can also be used by people working with young people, parents and families so that they can better understand the experiences and concerns of young people affected by this issue.
Subject terms:
parents, substance misuse, young people, coping behaviour;
Child Abuse and Neglect, 35(7), July 2011, pp.514-523.
Publisher:
Elsevier
... or negative expressions. Reaction times for the evaluative decisions were used as an index of the extent to which photos invoked negative or positive evaluative reactions. Participants from two studies included 90 students and 95 parents. Results demonstrated that evaluative congruence between the facial expressions displayed in photographs and the target words facilitated responses. Also, the results
This study investigated whether adults possess implicit attitudes toward children and whether those attitudes are especially negative among respondents who are high in child physical abuse (CPA) risk. Participants were instructed to make decisions about the evaluative implications of target words. These words were preceded by photographs of child faces or adult faces displaying positive, neutral, or negative expressions. Reaction times for the evaluative decisions were used as an index of the extent to which photos invoked negative or positive evaluative reactions. Participants from two studies included 90 students and 95 parents. Results demonstrated that evaluative congruence between the facial expressions displayed in photographs and the target words facilitated responses. Also, the results suggested that regardless of CPA risk, child faces, relative to adult faces, facilitated responses to negative target words, suggesting an out-group bias. This implicit out-group bias was not moderated by respondents’ CPA risk status. The authors concluded that additional research was needed to examine the pervasiveness of negative evaluative biases towards children and the potential implications of such biases on children's lives.
Australian Social Work, 64(4), December 2011, pp.443-458.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
This paper describes important feature of the Norwegian Child Welfare Services (CWS), and discusses possible outcomes and implications for children and parents. It starts with a short overview of the Norwegian child welfare policies, and the legal and organisational arrangements of the CWS. Two sources of data are then used to describe the characteristics of the children and parents receiving services. The first was aggregated data derived from Statistics Norway (SSB). The second was data from a recent study of interviews of 715 parents in contact with CWS. These data show that Norway's programme orientation is on support, prevention, and early intervention. Most of the parents agreed to contact CWS, and reported high levels of satisfaction. The system is largely successful in responding
This paper describes important feature of the Norwegian Child Welfare Services (CWS), and discusses possible outcomes and implications for children and parents. It starts with a short overview of the Norwegian child welfare policies, and the legal and organisational arrangements of the CWS. Two sources of data are then used to describe the characteristics of the children and parents receiving services. The first was aggregated data derived from Statistics Norway (SSB). The second was data from a recent study of interviews of 715 parents in contact with CWS. These data show that Norway's programme orientation is on support, prevention, and early intervention. Most of the parents agreed to contact CWS, and reported high levels of satisfaction. The system is largely successful in responding to the variety of needs that CWS clients experience. The survey data showed that families in contact with CWS are different to the general population in important ways, including family structure/demographics, socioeconomic characteristics, and physical and mental health. The article concludes that the Norwegian CWS is largely successful in responding to the welfare needs of vulnerable and marginalised families.
Subject terms:
parents, prevention, child protection, early intervention;
Community Work and Family, 14(4), November 2011, pp.449-468.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
This review explores the relationship between parental work schedules and child academic achievement. Existing research focused on that relationship has been narrow in scope and has largely ignored the issue of underlying mechanisms. The review seeks to explore those shortcomings by introducing a conceptual framework that sets out some potential pathways through which parental work schedules might exert an impact on the academic achievement of children. Characteristics of parental work schedules that might be relevant in today's rapidly changing world are identified and connected to child achievement by way of a review of research evidence supporting each of the links in the proposed framework. Finally, the review draws on existing research to suggest some ways in which governments, employers, and families might mitigate any risks to child achievement conveyed through the pathways presented in the framework.
This review explores the relationship between parental work schedules and child academic achievement. Existing research focused on that relationship has been narrow in scope and has largely ignored the issue of underlying mechanisms. The review seeks to explore those shortcomings by introducing a conceptual framework that sets out some potential pathways through which parental work schedules might exert an impact on the academic achievement of children. Characteristics of parental work schedules that might be relevant in today's rapidly changing world are identified and connected to child achievement by way of a review of research evidence supporting each of the links in the proposed framework. Finally, the review draws on existing research to suggest some ways in which governments, employers, and families might mitigate any risks to child achievement conveyed through the pathways presented in the framework.
Children and Youth Services Review, 33(10), October 2011, pp.1795-1803.
Publisher:
Elsevier
Childhood bullying is a pervasive problem in many countries around the world. This study provides a qualitative assessment of bullying based on the perceptions of parents of victimised children. In-depth interviews were conducted with parents of 18 children who self-identified as experiencing frequent bullying. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 parents (2 fathers, 14 mothers, and 2 mother-father dyads). The themes that emerged included: the participants' definition of bullying and how they identify bullying behaviours; the parents' reactions to their child self-identifying as bullied; the parents' awareness of their child witnessing bullying incidents; the parents' descriptions of the effects being victimised has had on their child; gender differences; the strategies parents suggested to respond to bullying; and complexities regarding disclosure of bullying. The article concludes that, as parents are particularly important in helping children who are experiencing bullying, it is crucial to understand their perceptions and conceptualisations. It is essential that parents acknowledge the seriousness of childhood bullying and learn how best to intervene.
Childhood bullying is a pervasive problem in many countries around the world. This study provides a qualitative assessment of bullying based on the perceptions of parents of victimised children. In-depth interviews were conducted with parents of 18 children who self-identified as experiencing frequent bullying. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 parents (2 fathers, 14 mothers, and 2 mother-father dyads). The themes that emerged included: the participants' definition of bullying and how they identify bullying behaviours; the parents' reactions to their child self-identifying as bullied; the parents' awareness of their child witnessing bullying incidents; the parents' descriptions of the effects being victimised has had on their child; gender differences; the strategies parents suggested to respond to bullying; and complexities regarding disclosure of bullying. The article concludes that, as parents are particularly important in helping children who are experiencing bullying, it is crucial to understand their perceptions and conceptualisations. It is essential that parents acknowledge the seriousness of childhood bullying and learn how best to intervene.
Social Work Now: the Practice Journal of Child, Youth and Family, 47, April 2011, pp.18-26.
Publisher:
Child, Youth and Family (Department of Child, Youth and Family Services, Te Tari Awhina I te Tamaiti, te Rangatahi, tae atu ki te Whanau)
The assessment of a parent’s capacity to care for their child is an important task in child protection social work. An assessment of parenting capacity involves determining the parent’s capacity, insight and knowledge to provide safe and appropriate care for their child. Assessing parenting capacity is not a ‘one-off’ exercise, and continual review may indicate the need for further assessment to ensure the care being provided to the child is continuing to meet their needs. This article begins with a general overview of the factors that child protection social workers consider when undertaking a parenting capacity assessment, including the importance of putting the child at the centre of the assessment and understanding the impact that their own values and beliefs can have on the process. It then provides practical suggestions on the areas explored in the assessment of parenting capacity, including the impact of parental mental illness, addiction issues, or disability. The article concludes with considering how to bring everything together to complete the assessment.
The assessment of a parent’s capacity to care for their child is an important task in child protection social work. An assessment of parenting capacity involves determining the parent’s capacity, insight and knowledge to provide safe and appropriate care for their child. Assessing parenting capacity is not a ‘one-off’ exercise, and continual review may indicate the need for further assessment to ensure the care being provided to the child is continuing to meet their needs. This article begins with a general overview of the factors that child protection social workers consider when undertaking a parenting capacity assessment, including the importance of putting the child at the centre of the assessment and understanding the impact that their own values and beliefs can have on the process. It then provides practical suggestions on the areas explored in the assessment of parenting capacity, including the impact of parental mental illness, addiction issues, or disability. The article concludes with considering how to bring everything together to complete the assessment.
The impact parental alcohol misuse can have on children, young people and the rest of the family is examined. Policy, prevalence, interventions and challenges for practice are briefly covered.
The impact parental alcohol misuse can have on children, young people and the rest of the family is examined. Policy, prevalence, interventions and challenges for practice are briefly covered.
Children and Young People Now, 1.6.11, 2011, pp.24-25.
Publisher:
Haymarket Business Publications Ltd
The Family Drug and Alcohol Court, which is being piloted at the Inner London Family Proceeding Court, aimed to develop a more effective approach to care proceedings involving families affected by parental substance misuse and improve outcomes for children and parents. An evaluation of the pilot found an increase in numbers of mothers and fathers had stopped using substances, compared
The Family Drug and Alcohol Court, which is being piloted at the Inner London Family Proceeding Court, aimed to develop a more effective approach to care proceedings involving families affected by parental substance misuse and improve outcomes for children and parents. An evaluation of the pilot found an increase in numbers of mothers and fathers had stopped using substances, compared to the comparison group. The pilot is funded by the Department for Education, Ministry of Justice, Home Office, Department of Health and the pilot local authorities.
Subject terms:
parents, substance misuse, care proceedings, families;