The Challenges in Implementing Mixed Economy of Care Practices in Child Welfare Network in Malaysia

The Social networks play a very important role in the well-being of children. This is because; the welfare network serves as a charitable service provider to meet their needs. Child welfare networks include family members, children, schools, peers, neighbors, community members and institutions offering health, education, health, food and drink services, love, safety, protection and a healthy environment. This article describes the network mapping of child welfare services in the custody of public institutions. A study was conducted to explore the practice of implementing the welfare services network of children at STB Marang, Terengganu Malaysia using the qualitative design of the Grounded Theory to obtain the raw data. A set of interview protocols have been developed as a guide to conducting face-to-face and deep interviews with 30 respondents of 24 different agencies. The main findings of the study found that although public custody in Malaysia practiced a mixed economy of care approach, service network operations were in conflict with the mixed economy of care approach adopted. As a follow-up to the findings of this study, the Social Network Development Model was developed. This model can be a productive tool in developing an integrated welfare network for children in Malaysia.