Parents’ voices on parental engagement in child protective services

Bibliographic Data

ID6434025
AuthorsKarmen Toros (0000-0002-1968-5818), Asgeir Falch‐eriksen (0000-0003-2328-5531), Olha Lysa
Year2025
Volume20
Issue2
Pages47-62
Publication date2025-06-13
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Children s Services (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1746-6660 • E-ISSN: 2042-8677
PublisherEmerald Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1108/jcs-08-2023-0046
OpenAlexW4411284504
LanguageEN
References cited59

Purpose Although participatory practices are naturally embedded in child protection, studies find that engaging parents can be challenging, especially with families in child protective services. This paper aims to explore parents’ experiences and perceptions of family engagement in child protection assessment. Design/methodology/approach This paper explores Estonian parents’ ( n = 75) experiences and perceptions of family engagement in child protection assessment using the Yatchmenoff self-reported client engagement scale. The scale is based on four dimensions of successful parental engagement: family buy-in to the assessment, receptivity to help, mistrust and working relationship. The study included an open-ended question to examine collaboration/working relationship with the child protective worker. Findings The overall findings indicate that parents generally felt they were not engaged in the child protection assessment. The engagement dimensions highlight distrust, reluctance to accept help, uncertainty about the benefits of child protective services or child protective workers and difficulties in communication and collaboration. Based on respondents’ experiences about their collaboration and working relationship with the worker, three negative characteristics were identified: lack of objectivity, judgemental attitudes and arrogance. Parents were not only denied the opportunity to share their story, but the worker’s attitude and actions also created obstacles to participatory practice. Research limitations/implications Several limitations can be identified. Firstly, limitations in the sample. These findings are drawn from a rather small number of parents recruited from a convenience sample of parents having experiences with child protection assessment via social media. The reason for such recruitment practice was to approach parents from different regions all over Estonia and with various experiences. Secondly, the sample size limits further statistical data analysis. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to explore self-reported views on engagement from parents in CPS, including using the standardised scale developed for this purpose. Furthermore, the study enabled parents to share additional reflections on the theme to better understand their experiences and perceptions. Practical implications Currently, more focus should be directed to developing best practices in this area – what contributes to positive working relationships and collaboration, what models, programmes and approaches demonstrate a positive effect. Furthermore, better client–worker relations can be fostered by encouraging collaboration and two-way communication with parents. Here transparency regarding how child protection services (CPS) operates and what the assessment process entails is crucial. When CPS communicates and practices transparency, it is imperative that the parent understands fully the nature of what is communicated. Engagement with parents must be at a level that parents can understand and from which they can develop and change their practice of care. Enabling real voluntary collaborations in case planning through regular meetings and follow-ups is essential if parents are to internalise what they need to do. By giving parents the chance to design their own path, they will not be estranged by CPS demands. Originality/value While numerous studies explore parental and family engagement in child protection and welfare, studies using the Yatchmenoff self-reported client engagement scale have not been published. The scale has a good potential of measuring client engagement across various cultural contexts

Developmental psychology · Sociology · Child Abuse and Trauma · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Child Welfare and Adoption · Psychology

Tools

Open DOI