The Voice of the Child in the Child Protection Conference: presentation and representation

A qualitative research study explored the extent to which the views, wishes and feelings of children and young people have been upheld in child protection conference practice in England following Munro’s review of child... [ view full abstract ]

A qualitative research study explored the extent to which the views, wishes and feelings of children and young people have been upheld in child protection conference practice in England following Munro’s review of child protection (2011). The initial research design aimed to draw solely on the experiences of children and young people across three local authority sites in England. Early attempts to identify and recruit research participants highlighted significant cultural and practice challenges associated with assumptions of childhood, participation and protectionism. A revised data collection approach, focusing on one local authority site, included an analysis of reports submitted for twenty seven conference events, and perspectives of social workers and Independent Reviewing Officers. Data was analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis and Critical Discourse Analysis approaches. Key findings highlighted themes associated with practitioner’s use of power over the upholding of participation rights of children and young people in the child protection conference process. The opportunity for children and young people to attend their child protection conference was not routinely explored by social workers. The views, wishes and feelings of children and young people who had not attended were not always clearly expressed in reports submitted to, and completed in the child protection conference, and there was an over reliance upon professional filtering of the child’s voice. The findings also suggested a lack of organisational clarity over what constitutes direct work as a component of assessment practice, and an over reliance upon standardised direct work tools to facilitate and interpret a child or young person’s views, wishes and feelings.  However, children and young people who did attend valued the experience and opportunity to have their participation and protection rights upheld. Practice recommendations for improving the conference environment were identified by children and young people environment, and have been implemented by the local authority.