Family members’ perspectives of child protection services, a metasynthesis of the literature
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.
Citation
Bekaert , S , Paavilainen , E , Scheke , H , Baldacchino , A , Jouet , E , Zablocka-Zytka , L , Bachi , B , Bartoli , F , Carra , G , Cioni , RM , Crocamo , C & Appleton , JV 2021 , ' Family members’ perspectives of child protection services, a metasynthesis of the literature ' , Children and Youth Services Review , vol. 128 , 106094 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106094
Publication
Children and Youth Services Review
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
0190-7409Type
Journal article
Rights
Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license.
Description
This review is part of a EC research project funded by RDAP-GBW-AG-2018-2 Domestic Violence/European Commission.Collections
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