Child Protection and Practice最新文献

{"title":"Best practices for rendering family reunification services to children in alternative care placements in South Africa","authors":"Sipho Sibanda","doi":"10.1016/j.chipro.2025.100182","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chipro.2025.100182","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Children placed in alternative care have a right to be reunified with their families when the reasons that led to their removal have been addressed. Social workers are instrumental in providing a wide range of services to children and families. It is imperative to have best practice interventions that guide the implementation of family reunification services. In the absence of points of reference, social workers will experience challenges in rendering effective family reunification services.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This article explores best practices for rendering family reunification services to children in alternative care placements.</div></div><div><h3>Participants and setting</h3><div>Social workers employed by five child protection organisations in South Africa participated in the study. 15 interviews were conducted, 183 questionnaires were completed.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>An exploratory sequential mixed methods design was employed in the study. Data was analysed using Cresswell's model of thematic data analysis and a statistical package for social sciences.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>The paper analyses seven narratives of successful family reunification services to deduce elements that seem to lead to the success of family reunification. These elements are; parents' willingness to change their circumstances, communication between all role players, and support from the social worker. Indicators for progress towards successful family reunification drawn from these cases are; maintaining regular contact with the child, contributing towards the maintenance of the child, good relationships between biological and foster parents, and biological parents’ involvement in programmes organised by social workers.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The article concludes that social workers working in family reunification services should adopt these best practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100237,"journal":{"name":"Child Protection and Practice","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100182"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144105553","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The path to “Integral Protection”: The evolution and challenges of child protection in Brazil","authors":"Sidnei Priolo Filho ,&nbsp;Luciana C. Assini-Meytin ,&nbsp;Natalia Kerche Alvaides ,&nbsp;Andreza Porto Lourenço ,&nbsp;Renan Hoinski ,&nbsp;Matheus Carrascoso ,&nbsp;Ana Rebeca Benevides ,&nbsp;Silvio José Benelli ,&nbsp;Tiago Gagliano ,&nbsp;Sabrina Mazo D'Affonseca","doi":"10.1016/j.chipro.2025.100179","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chipro.2025.100179","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Brazil, one of the largest countries in the Global South, has significantly grown in protecting the rights of children and adolescents, but it still faces significant challenges. This article describes the current child protection system and the systems that affect children and families, and it highlights priorities and challenges in the child protection context in Brazil. Historically, child protection in Brazil was marked by the exclusion and marginalization of children and adolescents, with public policies focused on the punishment and institutionalization of children and adolescents. Brazil's 1988 Constitution and the 1990 Child and Adolescent Statute were legal milestones that transformed children into rights holders, changing the public's perspective on what constituted children's rights and the mechanisms that secured them. In Brazil, this is referred to as the Integral Protection doctrine. The current Brazilian child protection system includes various agencies and services, such as the Unified Health System and the Conselho Tutelar, which play crucial roles in protecting and reporting cases of violence. In the past 20 years, legislation expanded the definitions of child maltreatment and established specialized procedures for assisting child victims. However, challenges persist, such as insufficient funding and unequal distribution of professionals, as well as difficulties in protecting children with disabilities. In this sense, future strategies should focus on educating and training involved professionals and improving the protection network and accessibility to services, especially in remote areas. Strengthening citizenship and effectively implementing public policies are essential to ensure Brazil's comprehensive protection of children and adolescents.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100237,"journal":{"name":"Child Protection and Practice","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100179"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144123578","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Children's perspectives on their families' involvement with child protective services in Portugal: A critical step to a meaningful participation","authors":"Sanmya Salomão,&nbsp;Ana Catarina Canário,&nbsp;Orlanda Cruz","doi":"10.1016/j.chipro.2025.100169","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chipro.2025.100169","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":100237,"journal":{"name":"Child Protection and Practice","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100169"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144212998","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Alumbra: a digital platform supported by a knowledge community for child sexual violence prevention","authors":"Renata Díaz Barreiro Castro,&nbsp;Ana Reza Calvillo,&nbsp;Adrián Zentella Tusié","doi":"10.1016/j.chipro.2025.100176","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chipro.2025.100176","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Alumbra is an initiative to address sexual violence against children and adolescents housed at the Early Institute, an NGO think tank in Mexico City, Mexico. It is grounded in a spectrum of prevention model designed to address complex public health problems, within the framework of INSPIRE, a set of WHO approved evidence-based strategies proven to prevent and respond to violence against children.</div><div>This initiative integrates multisectoral collaboration and digital innovation to respond to this critical issue. Since its inception in 2018, Alumbra united over 50 NGOs, government institutions and international organizations forming a knowledge and practice community dedicated to the prevention of sexual violence against children. Central to its efforts, is a digital platform which consolidates official statistics, educational resources, tools for prevention and a directory for legal, psychological, and medical support services.</div><div>With its multisectoral approach and reliance on evidence-based research, Alumbra's digital platform has become a key reference for equipping caregivers, practitioners and policymakers alike who address violence prevention with essential resources and information. To this day, the digital platform has reached over 400,000 beneficiaries. This case study outlines Alumbra's development while providing insight into the challenges and successes in Mexico.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100237,"journal":{"name":"Child Protection and Practice","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100176"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144071882","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lessons from Tanzanian children in how to foster safety and inclusion in Catholic schools","authors":"Kate McAlpine ,&nbsp;Raphael Dennis ,&nbsp;Isabel Cooper ,&nbsp;Emmanuel James ,&nbsp;Sia Maro ,&nbsp;Hannah Lapsley","doi":"10.1016/j.chipro.2025.100170","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chipro.2025.100170","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This methodological paper explores the use of Participatory Action Research (PAR) to empower children in 14 Tanzanian Catholic schools as co-researchers in identifying and addressing the unwritten rules shaping their safety and experience of inclusivity. Rooted in the Protective Behaviours methodology, the study examined how deeply ingrained socialisation processes, particularly gender norms, perpetuate feelings of unsafety. Findings revealed that 40 % of the unwritten rules reinforce traditional gender stereotypes, often marginalising non-conforming students and limiting their ability to thrive. The paper also highlights broader unwritten rules that discourage open communication and reinforce hierarchical power dynamics, further compromising relational safety. Through an iterative prototyping process, students are developing and testing context-specific solutions to foster equitable and inclusive school environments. This study emphasises the transformative potential of participatory approaches, not only in addressing systemic barriers in education but also in fostering agency and collaborative problem-solving among students. Practical implications include the need for schools to embrace student-driven initiatives as a pathway to systemic change and enhanced inclusivity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100237,"journal":{"name":"Child Protection and Practice","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100170"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144105610","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of mothers at risk of repeat care proceedings and preventing care entry: a realist evaluation","authors":"R. McGovern ,&nbsp;E. Geijer-Simpson ,&nbsp;S. O'Keeffe ,&nbsp;W. McGovern ,&nbsp;S. McCarthy ,&nbsp;M. Lhussier ,&nbsp;A. Bate","doi":"10.1016/j.chipro.2025.100166","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chipro.2025.100166","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The number of children being taken into care is increasing year-on-year around the world, with particular concern about mothers who experience repeat infant removal. These mothers have often experienced multiple disadvantages, which are compounded by the trauma of child removal. There is an urgent need to understand how to interrupt these cycles of disadvantage, trauma and child removal.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To identify and explain the perceived influence of contextual factors and mechanisms of an intensive, relationship-based intervention upon: i) the mental health and wellbeing of mothers at risk of repeat care proceedings; ii) and the care outcomes of their infants.</div></div><div><h3>Participants and setting</h3><div>The study was conducted in the North East of England. Participants of the were 159 mother-infant dyads (n = 79 intervention and n = 80 received usual care). Additionally, we recruited a total of 39 realist interview participants (n = 10 referring practitioners; n = 11; Startwell practitioners; n = 17 mothers and n = 1 partner).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This mixed-method study employed a realist approach to service evaluation, using quasi-experimental and qualitative methods.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In iterative consultation with stakeholders, we developed three programme theories relating to: i) supporting the mother to safeguard the child; ii) safely challenging behaviour and beliefs; iii) grief and loss.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>We found that in the context of surveillance wherein mothers with longstanding negative and adversarial experiences of services, a mother-centred and empathic approach is likely to lead to more accurate and decisive assessment, increase reunification and support mothers to grieve following infant removal.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100237,"journal":{"name":"Child Protection and Practice","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100166"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143931714","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effects of multidimensional treatment foster care for maltreated children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Andrea Krishnapillai ,&nbsp;Lindsay Oad ,&nbsp;Taylar Cassidy ,&nbsp;Melissa Kimber ,&nbsp;Nancy Santesso","doi":"10.1016/j.chipro.2025.100173","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chipro.2025.100173","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>A significant proportion of youth in foster care have a history of child maltreatment (CM) exposure, which contributes to their elevated risk for experiencing emotional and behavioural disorders.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To update a previously published systematic review and meta-analysis examining the effects of Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC) on the well-being of maltreated youth in foster care.</div></div><div><h3>Participants and setting</h3><div>Children between 3 and 17 years of age exposed to any type of CM by their birth parents.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Systematic searches across five databases retrieved randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the impact of MTFC. We assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and certainty of the evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations approach.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Eight RCTs were included. Meta-analyses indicated that MTFC may have little to no greater effect on internalizing symptoms at 5–6 months but may slightly reduce externalizing symptoms at 3–12 months compared to usual care. MTFC's long-term effects on these outcomes is still uncertain. There is very little and uncertain evidence regarding the difference in effects of MTFC compared to usual care interventions on suicide attempts or ideation, involvement with authority, and positive parent-child interactions.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>MTFC may have no additional benefits for children exposed to maltreatment. Decision makers must balance these findings with costs, resources, and training required to provide MTFC to this population compared to usual care. Quality RCTs that measure long-term outcomes, and which integrate the perspectives of children who receive MTFC, are needed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100237,"journal":{"name":"Child Protection and Practice","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100173"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143934983","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"He lived in a tent and I was homeless … so I became his girlfriend”: A Trauma-Informed Photovoice Study of Coping Strategies Among Childhood Sex Trafficking Survivors","authors":"Jennifer S. Middleton ,&nbsp;Lesley Harris ,&nbsp;Hallie Decker ,&nbsp;Samantha Revill ,&nbsp;Jordan Greenbaum","doi":"10.1016/j.chipro.2025.100174","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chipro.2025.100174","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":100237,"journal":{"name":"Child Protection and Practice","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100174"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143931666","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Child focused, Curious, and open to Complexity: A new model for assessing and addressing domestic and family violence in child protection practice","authors":"Ulrike Marwitz ,&nbsp;Daryl J. Higgins ,&nbsp;Thomas Whelan","doi":"10.1016/j.chipro.2025.100175","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chipro.2025.100175","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Domestic violence is a common and significant issue in families with child protection involvement, both because domestic violence can harm children directly, and because it commonly co-occurs with other issues that increase the risk of harm to children. Despite how common this issue is, child protection systems have often failed to respond appropriately to families in which domestic violence presents a risk of harm to children. In this paper, we will present a model which can support child protection practitioners in working with families in which DFV is identified as a risk to the safety and wellbeing of children. Our model builds on the important work of other researchers who have highlighted existing problems in the way child protection systems respond to domestic violence. Moreover, it treads new ground by approaching domestic violence as a heterogenous issue which requires nuanced and individual responses, with a particular focus on differentiating between coercive control and situational couple violence.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100237,"journal":{"name":"Child Protection and Practice","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100175"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144213000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transition from care experiences of youth aged 13 to 23 living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in Canada: A scoping review","authors":"Michele L. Palk ,&nbsp;Christine Wekerle","doi":"10.1016/j.chipro.2025.100172","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chipro.2025.100172","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a full body, lifespan diagnosis resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure that affects people differently. Children and youth living with FASD are an important sub-population within child welfare services. Yet, knowledge about youths’ transition from care is limited. Policy may be implemented before understanding evidence for supportive programming like ensuring early and consistent prenatal care, remedial education, etc. In 2023, Ontario mandated child welfare transition planning begin at age 13. While youth are valued decision-maker participants, research on the lived experience of child welfare involved youth living with FASD is a gap.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To map the extant research on the experiences of child welfare-involved youth living with FASD in Canada preparing to leave care. This literature scope may help to minimize or address risks, and identify strengths, during this transition.</div></div><div><h3>Participants and setting</h3><div>Peer-reviewed Canadian articles in English about child welfare-involved youth with a confirmed history of prenatal alcohol exposure, FASD diagnosis, or both were eligible for inclusion. Child welfare-involved youth from early adolescence to adulthood represent the age captured in included studies.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>A systematic scoping review using JBI guidelines was conducted, and four databases (Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, and Social Work Abstracts) searched using a librarian supported search strategy. Reviewers independently completed title/abstract, full-text screening, and data extraction. PRISMA-Scr, descriptive and narrative analysis were used to understand risks and protective factors.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>Six studies met inclusion criteria. A substantial minority of youth experienced comorbidities. Contextual factors were inconsistently described, and several outcomes minimally reported on. Positive outcomes, protective factors, resilience pathways, and youth voices were absent. Four main themes highlighting the complexities of living and planning for youth with FASD were identified. Related policy, research, and child welfare practice implications are discussed.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>While this subpopulation must leave care by early adulthood, their experience is missing from the literature. We recommend investing in foundational research on pathways of exiting care, updating policy and practice to ensure youth voices are integrated, and optimizing, standardizing, and tracking protective factors throughout child welfare engagement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100237,"journal":{"name":"Child Protection and Practice","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100172"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143899201","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}