Skip to main content

Children’s Experiences of Statutory Child Protection Interventions

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Participation in Child Protection

Abstract

Within this chapter, I discuss children’s experiences of participation in state child protection interventions in the UK from the perspectives of children. Each individual child who comes into contact with the child protection system is unique in terms of the ways in which their health, development and life outcomes are impacted by their experiences, and each will have a personal narrative, but there are also some distinguishing features of the experience which are familiar to many children undergoing child protection interventions. These features emerged from the findings of a systematic review of literature undertaken in the early stages of the research project and which was conducted primarily to locate and synthesise all known evidence of children’s experiences of participation in state child protection interventions in the UK. The chapter identifies and discusses the five key features which emerged from children’s accounts and which are important as they reveal some collective understandings of children’s participation in the child protection system as perceived by the children within it.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Allnock, D., & Miller, P. (2013). No One Noticed, No One Heard: A Study of Disclosures and Childhood Abuse. London: NSPCC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aubrey, C., & Dahl, S. (2006). Children’s Voices: The Views of Vulnerable Children on Their Service Providers and the Relevance of the Services They Provide. British Journal of Social Work, 36, 21–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berelowitz, S., Clifton, J., Firimin, C., Gulyurtlu, S., & Edwards, G. (2013). If Only Someone Had Listened. Office of the Children’s Commissioner’s Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Gangs and Groups. Final Report. London: Office of the Children’s Commissioner.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brophey, J. (2014). Safeguarding Privacy and Respect for Children and Young People and the Next Steps in Media Access to Family Courts. Birkenhead: National Youth Advocacy Service & Association of Lawyers for Children.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burgess, C., Daniel, B., Scott, J., Dobbin, H., Mulley, K., & Whitfield, E. (2014). Preventing Child Neglect in the UK. What Makes Services Accessible to Children and Families? Watford: Action for Children.

    Google Scholar 

  • C4EO. (2010). The Views and Experiences of Children and Young People Who Have Been Through the Child Protection/Safeguarding System. Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People’s Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • CAADA. (2014). In Plain Sight: The Evidence from Children Exposed to Domestic Abuse. Coordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse (CAADA).

    Google Scholar 

  • Cass, R., & Fernandes, P. (2014). Evaluation of FED UP. Interim Report. NSPCC: London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coffey, A. (2014). Real Voices. Child Sexual Exploitation in Greater Manchester. Manchester: Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cossar, J., Brandon, M., & Jordan, P. (2011). Don’t Make Assumptions. Children and Young People’s Views of the Child Protection System and Messages for Change. London: Office of the Children’s Commissioner.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cossar, J., Brandon, M., & Jordan, P. (2014). ‘You’ve Got to Trust Her and She’s Got to Trust You’: Children’s Views on Participation in the Child Protection System. Child and Family Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1111/cfs.12115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cossar, J., Brandon, M., Bailey, S., Belderson, P., & Biggart, L. (2013). ‘It Takes a Lot to Build Trust’. Recognition and Telling: Developing Earlier Routes to Help for Children and Young People. London: Office of the Children’s Comissioner.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crossar, J., & Long, C. (2008). Children and Young People’s Involvement in Child Protection Processes in Cambridge. CWDC Report. University of East Anglia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davidson, J., Bifulco, A., Thomas, G., & Ramsey, M. (2006). Child Victims of Sexual Abuse. Children’s Experience of the Investigative Process in the Criminal Justice System. Practice: Social Work in Action, 18(4), 247–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dillon, J., Greenop, D., & Hills, M. (2016). Participation in Child Protection: A Small Scale Qualitative Study. Qualitative Social Work, 15(1), 70–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dodsworth, J. (2014). Sexual Exploitation, Selling and Swapping Sex: Victimhood and Agency. Child Abuse Review, 23, 185–199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eastman, A. (2014). Enough Is Enough. A Report on Child Protection and Mental Health Services for Children and Young People. London: The Centre for Social Justice.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elsley, S. (2013). Children and Young People’s Views on Child Protection Systems in Scotland. The Scottish Government.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gohir, S. (2013). Unheard Voices. Birmingham: Muslim Women’s Network.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gribble, K., & Gallagher, M. (2014). Rights of Children in Relation to Breastfeeding in Child Protection Cases. British Journal of Social Work, 44, 434–450.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, E., & Holmes, D. (2014) That Difficult Age. Developing a More Effective Response to Risks in Adolescence. Totnes: Research in Practice and ADCS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holland, S., & Scourfield, J. (2004). Liberty and Respect in Child Protection. British Journal of Social Work, 34, 21–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horan, H., & Dalrymple, J. (2003). Promoting the Participation Rights of Children and Young People in Family Group Conferences. Practice: Social Work in Action, 15(2), 5–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, M., Becker, J., & Tenke, C. (1991). Influence of Abuse History on Male Adolescent Self-Reported Comfort with Interviewer Gender. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 6(1), 3–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirby, P., & Laws, S. (2010). Advocacy for Children in Family Group Conferences. In B. Percy-Smith & N. Thomas (Eds.), A Handbook of Children and Young People’s Participation: Perspectives from Theory and Practice. Abingdon: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lagaay, M., & Courtney, L. (2013). Time to Listen: Independent Advocacy Within the Child Protection Process. London: National Children’s Bureau.

    Google Scholar 

  • La Valle, I., Payne, L., & Jelicic, H. (2012). The Voice of the Child in the Child Protection System. London: National Children’s Bureau.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leeson, C. (2007). My Life in Care: Experiences of Non-Participation in Decision-Making Processes. Child and Family Social Work, 12, 268–277.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lefevre, M., Burr, R., Boddy, J., & Rosenthal, R. (2013). Feeling Safe, Keeping Safe: Good Practice in Safeguarding and Child Protection in Secondary Schools. London: Office of the Children’s Commissioner.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mainey, A., Ellis, A., & Lewis, J. (2009). Children’s Views of Services. A Rapid Review. London: National Children’s Bureau.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGee, C., & Westcott, H. (1996). System Abuse: Towards a Greater Understanding from the Perspectives of Children and Parents. Child and Family Social Work, 1, 169–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKenna, J. (2013). Children & Young People’s Views and Experiences of Children’s Hearings. A Summary. Children’s Hearings Scotland: Edinburgh.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, D., & Brown, J. (2014). ‘We Have the Right to Be Safe’ Protecting Disabled Children from Abuse. London: NSPCC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, R. (2014). The Children’s Views Digest. Manchester: Ofsted.

    Google Scholar 

  • Munro, E. (2011). The Munro Review of Child Protection Final Report. A Child Centred System. London: The Stationary Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, C., & Hallett, C. (2000). Young People’s Participation in Decisions Affecting Their Welfare. Childhood, 7(1), 11–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • NSPCC. (2013). Can I Tell You Something? ChildLine Review 2012/13. London: NSPCC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ofsted. (2013). Social Care Report 2012–13. Available at: www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/120351. Accessed February 10, 2015.

  • Oliver, C. (2010). Children’s Views and Experiences of Their Contact with Social Workers. A Focused Review of the Evidence. Leeds: CWDC.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Quigley, A. (2000). Listening to Children’s Views: The Findings and Recommendations of Recent Research. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Public Health Wales NHS Trust. (2014). Thematic Review of the Deaths of Children and Young People Through Probable Suicide 2006–2012. Swansea: Public Health Wales NHS Trust.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scottish Executive. (2002). It’s Everyone’s Job to Make Sure I’m Alright. Report of the Child Protection Audit and Review. Edinburgh: The Stationery Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thoburn, J., Lewis, A., & Shemmings, D. (1995). Family Participation in Child Protection. Child Abuse Review, 4, 161–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Voice Against Violence (VAV). (2011). Tackling Domestic Violence through the Voice of the Young. VAV.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wattam, C. (1992). Making a Case in Child Protection. Harlow: Longman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westcott, H., & Davies, G. (1996). Sexually Abused Children’s and Young People’s Perspectives on Investigative Interviews. British Journal of Social Work, 26, 451–474.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitehead, I., Henderson, G., Hanson, L., McNiven, G., Lamb, D., & Duru, E. (2009). The Views and Experiences of Children and Families Involved in the Children’s Hearings System in Scotland. Stirling: Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, N. (2012). Lessons to Learn. Exploring the Links Between Running Away and Missing School. London: The Children’s Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winter, K. (2014). Understanding and Supporting Young Children’s Transitions into State Care: Schlossberg’s Transition Framework and Child-Centred Practice. British Journal of Social Work, 44, 401–417.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woolfson, R., Heffernan, E., Paul, M., & Brown, M. (2010). Young People’s Views of the Child Protection System in Scotland. British Journal of Social Work, 40, 2069–2085.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mandy Duncan .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Duncan, M. (2019). Children’s Experiences of Statutory Child Protection Interventions. In: Participation in Child Protection. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93824-0_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93824-0_2

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-93823-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-93824-0

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics