Supporting children & families : A comparison in service delivery

Shannon, MB; Smyth, B

Abstract

Objectives: This paper aims to present the results of a small scale comparative research project undertaken in 2012 that explored intensive preventative services targeted at children already in, or on the borderline of child protection input. Although some variations exist between the statutory child protection system in Ireland and the UK, very similar results were found in terms of the workers approach and skills; elements they attributed for their
success with families. This paper aims to explore these messages for both practitioners and families.
Methods: Practitioners from family support services in the UK and Ireland respectively were interviewed about their
direct work with ’high risk’ families. The focus of the interviews was to explore the processes involved in
delivering intensive family support in the two jurisdictions. The services selected for this research are
comparable in terms of the type of response they provide to families characterised by multiple and long
standing problems evident in both countries
Results: Although some variations exist between the statutory child protection system in Ireland and the UK, very similar results were found in terms of the workers approach and skills; elements they attributed for their
success with families.
Conclusions: The researchers propose that insights into direct work with families that is strengths based and child and family centred, along with the practical-emotional support provided by the family support workers, provides
valuable learning for other practitioners involved with families, children and young people.

Citation

Shannon, M., & Smyth, B. (2015, April). Supporting children & families : A comparison in service delivery. Presented at British Association for the Study and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (BASPCAN) Congress 2015, Edinburgh University

• Presentation Conference Type: Other
• Conference Name: British Association for the Study and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (BASPCAN) Congress 2015
• Conference Location: Edinburgh University
• Start Date: Apr 12, 2015
• End Date: Apr 15, 2015
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Jun 17, 2015
• Related Public URLs: http://www.baspcan.org.uk/congress2015.php
• Additional Information: Event Type : Conference