Who Makes Decisions for Vulnerable Young People? Shifting Sands and Murky Waters
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 11957320 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Margaret Kertesz (0000-0001-8060-272X, The University of Melbourne, corresponding author), Merle Spriggs (0000-0002-0432-2854, The University of Melbourne), Cathy Humphreys (0000-0001-8997-8993, The University of Melbourne) |
| Year | 2018 |
| Volume | 71 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 332-344 |
| Publication date | 2018-05-20 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Australian Social Work (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0312-407X • E-ISSN: 1447-0748 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/0312407x.2018.1464585 |
| OpenAlex | W2803447095 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 18 |
This paper discusses the existing guidance in Australian legislative and regulatory frameworks to inform the process of young people moving through varying stages of maturity towards independent decision-making. In the context of exploratory research to develop a stable online repository of personal documents for young people in out-of-home care, the researchers envisioned in-built, age-appropriate levels of decision-making authority, associated with what was stored, who had access, and who owned these records. They sought guidance to protect young people themselves and to support workers and other mentors. Little unqualified guidance emerged from the documentary search. Supporting any young people in the journey towards independent decision-making relies on individual judgements about the type of decision and risks involved, and the age, maturity, and experience of the young person. Above all, a supportive trusting relationship with an adult allows young people to learn through their own mistakes.IMPLICATIONSYoung people's competence in decision-making depends on a range of individual, familial, and social factors, and individualised guidance is necessary to support their participation.A supportive, trusting relationship with an adult provides the best environment for balancing vulnerable young peoples’ participation rights with their continuing needs for protection.The policy and practice challenge is to harness digital technologies without being distracted from the importance of relationship-based work
Competence (human resources · Context (archaeology · Developmental psychology · Geography · Internet privacy · Legislature · Maturity (psychological · Political science · Public relations · Vulnerable adult · Work (physics · Child Welfare and Adoption · Computer Science · Engineering · Healthcare innovation and challenges · Law · Psychology · Social Psychology · Social Work Education and Practice
Deciding for Others
Document Analysis as a Qualitative Research Method
Judgment and Decision Making in Adolescence
Authors of their own lives? Children, Contracts, their Responsibilities, Rights and Citizenship
Making Records Meaningful
Professional Discretion and Adult Social Work
Social Work and Advocacy with Young People
Learning to Reduce Risk in Child Protection
The Descriptive Tyranny of the Common Assessment Framework
Looked After Children and the Ethic of Care
Competent children? Minors' consent to health care treatment and research
Children and the Feminist Ethic of Care
| Highly cited | No |
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