Immigrant population in the Spanish child welfare system: needs assessment

Children with a migrant background are overrepresented in the Spanish child welfare system in various levels ranging from case notification rate to their share in residential care. Studies of risk factors also suggest higher... [ view full abstract ]

Children with a migrant background are overrepresented in the Spanish child welfare system in various levels ranging from case notification rate to their share in residential care. Studies of risk factors also suggest higher vulnerability of this population, given their higher risks of poverty and social exclusion for example. This research aims at assessing the needs of parents with a migrant background living in Spain regarding their parenting to prevent situations of child abuse and neglect in this specific population. In the first phase of the investigation, records of families with a migrant background classified in the child welfare system as low or moderate risk cases will be screened and analysed with basic statistical measures. The core of the study are semi-structured interviews with three samples: (1) Parents with a migrant background with children under age at their care living in Spain who have a record in the child welfare system for low or moderate risk of child abuse or neglect. (2) Parents with a migrant background with children under age at their care living in Spain with no record in the child welfare system who present similar demographic characteristic as sample one. (3) Psychologists and social workers attending families with a migrant background with low or moderate risk. The interviews aim at understanding the needs of migrant families in Spain and identifying best practices in intervention with families with low or moderate risk. The results will be analyzed using Grounded Theory and open up an insight into a scarcely investigated but socially relevant issue.