NCJ Number
232935
Journal
Child Abuse Review Volume: 19 Issue: 6 Dated: November-December 2010 Pages: 423-437
Date Published
November 2010
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study examined the current practice in Scotland in managing contact for children in non-permanent placements, and identified strengths and difficulties within current practice and priorities for further research, practice, and policy.
Abstract
There has been little research on social workers' views and experiences of managing contact for children in public care; and none focused in Scotland, where different institutional and legal features provide contrast with the rest of the United Kingdom. This study explored the views of 19 social work practitioners and managers and three Reporters to the Children's Hearing system regarding the management of contact for children in non-permanent placements, using semi-structured interviews and a focus group. The paper focuses on the themes of the supervision and assessment of contact, risks associated with contact and contact via ICT-email and the Internet. It suggests improvements in assessing contact are needed and concludes that while there are strengths in practitioners' current awareness of risks, a risk-based conception of contact, as exemplified by most respondents' views about the use of new technology, is in tension with the thrust of current legislation; conceptions of contact need to be flexible enough to embrace the variety of purposes contact might serve. (Published Abstract) References