Infants Suffering, or Likely to Suffer, Significant Harm: A
prospective longitudinal study
Department for Education (previously Department for Children,
Schools and Families).
This study follows on from two studies undertaken by CCFR: Looking After Children: cohort studies; and Life pathways and decision-making for very young children in care or accommodation.
These studies were sampled on children who had been long looked after; they necessarily relied on retrospective data only. Therefore, this current study will compare the experiences and progress of very young children, and examine why different decisions are made and how these lead to different pathways.
This prospective study is a logical sequel to the previous study and will trace the decision-making process influencing the life pathways of very young children at high risk of significant harm from birth until aged three.
The study will explore:
- whether very young children with similar needs are looked after by some authorities but remain at home with family support in others and examine the reasons for variations;
- how and when the decision between providing family support services or placements is made and the extent to which certain factors such as assessments of parents’ capacity to address difficulties in family functioning and the likely availability of support services influence these decisions;
- the role that various people have in the decision-making process; how differences in professional opinion are reconciled and explore whose views have the greatest influence;
- how far birth parents feel involved in the decision-making process;
- how far decisions made promote or inhibit children’s opportunities for achieving satisfactory outcomes.
- An examination of case records to examine life
experiences, reasons for referral and evidence of need. Changes in needs, circumstances, care plan, domiciles and placements will be monitored.
- In-depth interviews conducted with social workers, team leaders, children’s guardians and focus groups with health visitors to explore the availability of support services, the decisions they make and the processes involved in reaching those decisions, how differences in professional opinion are reconciled, and whose views have the most influence.
- In-depth interviews with parents and/or current carers, exploring their personal experiences, parenting skills, problems; their feelings towards social services and the support they are offered; and how far they feel they are involved in the decisions made about what happens to their children.
- Interviews will also be conducted with more senior
personnel including assistant directors of children’s services, judges, local authority solicitors and chairs of Local Safeguarding Children Boards, to explore policy developments and organisational context.
- Use of the HOME (Home Observation for the Measurement of the Environment) inventory during interviews and observations of the child and parent or current carer to assess all aspects of the home environment, including parenting, that directly impact on the child.
Report completed.
The study is of relevance to the 'Every Child Matters' agenda, including ‘being healthy’, ‘keeping safe’ and ‘enjoying and achieving’.
The findings will be relevant to the current policy initiative on adoption, providing information that can be used to inform decisions about the consequences of attempted rehabilitation versus permanent placement away from home.
Harriet Ward, Rebecca Brown, David Westlake
|