Maximising the Potential for History of Child Welfare to Inform Present Transformation

Building on an interest in use of history to critically inform the present over three decades to date, this presentation will consider how we can maximise the potential for history of child welfare to critically inform present... [ view full abstract ]

Building on an interest in use of history to critically inform the present over three decades to date, this presentation will consider how we can maximise the potential for history of child welfare to critically inform present transformations in child welfare. Focused on the specific case of major child welfare transformation in Ireland which took effect from the 2 Jan 2014, this presentation intends to demonstrate the relevance and importance of history as a means of critically informing current child welfare transformation. Based on samples of selected empirical research the presenter is current engaged in, a focus will be placed on how the development of an Independent Agency (named Tusla) has opened up the opportunity for an explicit re-orientation of child welfare services towards a strong parenting and family support approach. Major debates have arisen in this transition regarding the role of social work in child protection; the inter-face between child protection, family support and children's rights and the relationship between the State and Civil Society with regard to responsibility for support families and protection children. While some aspects of these debates are very specific to the Irish Cultural, social, political, institutional and intellectual context, others have resonance on a wider European and Global level. And while some aspects of these debates are of the moment and of this time, many have resonance with the history of child welfare in Ireland. Looking Outwards and Backwards are two useful lenses from which to critically observe a present transformation. Yet, while looking outwards to the international context is (correctly) taken for granted as a necessary component of evidence based change management, looking back to our history is more patchy and inadequate. This paper sets out clearly why this needs to change and how one might go about doing this.