Taking the child's perspective

This dissertation is a qualitative study including interview studies with children, parents and professionals, and a policy analysis. We investigated the needs of children and families and the participation of children in the Dutch child protection system (CPS).

This dissertation shows that the reason for child protection involvement as well as the child protection trajectory itself and the decisions made have much impact on (the lives of) children and families. The results underline the importance of ensuring as much and as soon as possible continuity and stability in children’s lives and of a good relationship between professionals, children and parents (including ‘meaningful participation’ of children) for the protection of children’s safety, well-being and development.

This dissertation provides pertinent recommendations for child protection policy and practice. The Dutch CPS has the responsibility to protect and support the well-being and development of children, in line with the importance of continuity and stability and good relationships with professionals. On the level of the direct interaction between professionals, children and parents, a relationship based on collaboration and respect (in which professionals listen to and respond adequately and quickly to what is important for the individual child and family) is essential. However, the context in which professionals work plays an important role in supporting them. Knowledge and awareness within the various levels about the perception and needs of children should lead to facilitating professionals to meet the needs of children in daily child protection practice. First, awareness of the impact of a child protection trajectory and the importance of ensuring as much and as soon as possible continuity and stability is essential for children’s well-being and development. As the time perceptions of children can differ from adults’ and as long processes can have negative consequences for children’s development, short trajectories and quick decision-making are essential in the best interests of the child. Second, awareness of the crucial role of a respectful relationship – based on collaboration between professionals, children and parents – is important in the underlying vision of the State and organizations. Children as well as parents should be viewed as competent, unique individuals and as crucial stakeholders to collaborate with in the protection of children. Third, it is essential that the underlying values and dimensions of meaningful participation of children are embedded in the culture and vision of organizations and overall CPS. Awareness of what meaningful participation involves should ensure that all children always get the possibility to meaningful participation, irrespectively of characteristics of child, professional or organization. These underlying visions should contribute to facilitating professionals to have the perceptions and needs of children as the starting point in their work. First, we need to consider the structure of the overall CPS, with the involvement of various organizations and professionals. This structure requires collaboration, clarity about the roles and tasks of the different professionals involved, and clear agreements and overall guidelines to prevent that families ‘have to start all over again’ at each organization. Moreover, it is important to consider how the involvement of several organizations and professionals impacts children and possibly challenges professionals in ensuring continuity and stability and building a collaborative and trust relationship with children and parents. Besides the structure of the chain of child protection, facilitating professionals in a practical way is important. For instance, professionals mention the importance of getting enough time to build relationships with children and parents and training to communicate with specific groups of children. It is necessary to pay attention to professionals’ needs continuously, to be able to support them optimally in ensuring stability and continuity and building a collaborative relationship with children and parents.

To conclude, it is essential to consider that the child’s perception should always be the starting point in the protection of children. First, children’s perceptions can differ from the perceptions and intentions of adults. Second, the perceptions of children involved in child protection can differ from the perceptions of children who are not involved in child protection. Moreover, every child has its unique perceptions, views and experiences. This all together underlines that it is essential to dialogue with children about what is important to them and to check continuously whether they experience that their needs are truly met.

Dissertation: http://hdl.handle.net/11370/8af95c73-b5c0-452e-a519-935feb27f050