Responses towards child abuse and neglect: comparing policies and practices between England, the Netherlands and Germany - Responses to caregiver substance misuse in England and two other European countries
Helen Baldwin
University of York
Helen is a Research Fellow at the University of York with over ten years' experience conducting academic research in the fields of children’s social care and public health. Her main research interests include child protection, parental substance misuse and research methods. Helen is currently working on a comparative study of child protection systems in three European countries, and a study comparing developmental outcomes for children who enter care with those for children who remain at home. Previously, Helen worked on a randomised controlled trial of multi-systemic therapy for adolescents with emotional and behavioural problems, and has undertaken evaluations of substance misuse treatment programmes. Helen uses both quantitative and qualitative methods in her work.
Abstract
This study, which forms part of the Hestia study, aims to examine responses to caregiver substance misuse by child protection agencies in three European countries, with a focus on the English child protection system. It is... [ view full abstract ]
This study, which forms part of the Hestia study, aims to examine responses to caregiver substance misuse by child protection agencies in three European countries, with a focus on the English child protection system. It is well established that substance misuse can impair parents’ capacity to meet their children’s developmental needs, and it has been identified as a major risk factor for child maltreatment. Research studies and serious case reviews have identified several failures of child protection services in England to respond to caregiver substance misuse and protect children from the associated harms. Caregiver substance misuse frequently remains unaddressed and children may remain living with, or return home to, parents with continuing drug or alcohol problems, leading to re-abuse and neglect.
For the Hestia study, 1,200 social work case files were analysed across England, Germany and the Netherlands (400 in each country). Information was captured about whether caregiver substance misuse was identified as a risk factor during child protection investigations and whether caregivers received support for this. Caregiver substance misuse was a professional concern in 126 (32%) of the case files analysed in England and detailed information was collected on the nature of caregivers’ substance misuse, how their alcohol or drug use was assessed, the involvement of specialist substance misuse agencies, and any treatment received by caregivers.
Comparisons will be made between responses to caregiver substance misuse in each of the three countries. This analysis will include an exploration of differences in the incidence of recorded caregiver substance misuse between the four study sites in England, taking into account the characteristics of cases and the nature and severity of alleged maltreatment.
The conclusions from this research will increase the evidence base in relation to caregiver substance misuse, which will be of interest to child protection services nationally and internationally.
Authors
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Helen Baldwin
(University of York)
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Susanne Witte
(German Youth Institute)
Topic Area
Child Protection Systems and Strategies at local, national and international levels
Session
Symposia12 » Session 3-Child Protection Systems (16:15 - Monday, 2nd October, Central America Room)
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