the parent-professional relationship in child protection
TRANSCRIPT
Hazel WhittersPractitioner-researcher
The parent-professional relationship in child
protection
Relationship of service-user and service-provider
• Rogers (1990): a therapeutic alliance• Howe (2008): to re-form a sense of self• Scott Gov.(2010): medium to implement early intervention
Research Question
“How do parents and professionals perceive the
influences upon their relationships in a context of
child protection?”
Research Design
Semi-structured interviews/thematic analysis•21 multi-disciplinary professionals: health, education, social work
•9 mothers: addiction, mental health, child protection
Archived case file – documentary analysis•One mother, three children, 12 year period
First Key Finding
DivergenceService-users (8/9) perceived
child protection as a positive influence
Service-providers (18/21) perceived child protection as a
negative influence
Quotes
“I feel it has always been to my advantage that I have been made aware. They explain it’s not just for your child…it’s for you as well.” (Parent)
“Things go to the Children’s Reporter and it’s like a blame culture. They think it is our fault. Child protection is always really negative.” (Health)
Understanding
• Normalisation of child protection by parents inter-generational/community/organisation
• Negative collective attitude by professionals social referencing/culture of practice
Divergence of perceptions = potential weakness in organisational capacity of parent-
professional dyad
Second Key Finding
ConvergenceService-users (7/9)
and Service-providers (17/21) perceived
informal verbal communication as a positive influence
•transferable pre-crisis to post-crisis•relationship supports sign-posting
Quotes
“If you had a problem, it is not a case of saying I need help, just a wee chat.” (Parent)
“You notice if something is wrong and say we could have a wee chat. You give support sooner rather than later.” (Social worker)
“If you are honest they accept but never agree, but you can continue with the relationship.” (Health)
Understanding
• Direct informal signalling of felt need by parents/readiness to learn
• Recognition of cues and empathic responding by
professionals/sign-posting
Convergence of perceptions = potential strength in organisational capacity of parent-
professional dyad pre-crisis and post-crisis
Third Key Finding
Convergence Health, education, social work
agreed upon positivity and negativity of influences
No evidence of direct professional response to a change in perceptions
Quotes
“An institutional influence and watching colleagues.” (Education)
“The atmosphere that the work creates and how you make relationships.” (Health)
“You have to take control and that does mean taking power from the parents.”(SW)
Understanding
•Culture of practice by integrated team based upon positive and negative perceptions of multi- disciplinary providers.
How do parents and professionals perceive influences ……………….?
“Personal, social and cultural influences are perceived by
service-users and service-providers as strengthening and weakening the
parent-professional relationship”
Implications
Divergence•Difference in interpretation, understanding, expectations•May affect empathic responding by professionals•Changes in perceptions may not be recognised
Convergence•Timely implementation•Parents: active participants of change and development•An “equal parent-professional partnership” •A positive outcome
Recommendation: training, support, supervision
