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Listening to the voices of children in decision-making: A challenge for the child protection system in Spain

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  • Balsells, M. Ángeles
  • Fuentes-Peláez, Nuria
  • Pastor, Crescencia

Abstract

The right of children to participate in decisions that impact their lives has been widely recognized, but it is scarcely present in the decision-making processes within the child protection system. Although research provides evidence of the benefits of such participation, we still know little about its presence in family reunification processes. This paper examines the voices of children and adolescents at the time of removal and reunification in the child protection process. The perspectives of 135 persons were taken through in-depth interviews and group discussions, namely, 30 children and adolescents, 42 biological parents, and 63 professionals in the child protection system. The results suggest that 1) the information that is provided to children and adolescents is inaccurate and incomplete at all stages of the decision-making process, 2) the degree of understanding the reasons that underlie the decision-making is minimal, 3) the main reason for removal defines how the child is involve in participation, and 4) the participation of children and adolescents in the reunification process contributes to its success and stability. The practical implications concern both the need to train professionals and the establishment of mechanisms that ensure children's participation on the continuum of the development of the case plan.

Suggested Citation

  • Balsells, M. Ángeles & Fuentes-Peláez, Nuria & Pastor, Crescencia, 2017. "Listening to the voices of children in decision-making: A challenge for the child protection system in Spain," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 418-425.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:79:y:2017:i:c:p:418-425
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.06.055
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    1. Arad-Davidzon, Bilhah & Benbenishty, Rami, 2008. "The role of workers' attitudes and parent and child wishes in child protection workers' assessments and recommendation regarding removal and reunification," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(1), pages 107-121, January.
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    7. Nybell, Lynn M., 2013. "Locating “youth voice:” Considering the contexts of speaking in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(8), pages 1227-1235.
    8. Angels BALSELLS & Pere AMOROS & Nuria FUENTES-PELAEZ & Ainoa MATEOS, 2011. "Needs Analysis for a Parental Guidance Program for Biological Family: Spain’s Current Situation (English version)," Revista de cercetare si interventie sociala, Editura Lumen, Department of Economics, vol. 34, pages 21-37, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Berit Skauge & Anita Skårstad Storhaug & Edgar Marthinsen, 2021. "The What, Why and How of Child Participation—A Review of the Conceptualization of “Child Participation” in Child Welfare," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-15, February.
    2. Anna Massons-Ribas & M. Àngels Balsells & Neus Cortada, 2021. "The Participation of Children and Adolescents in the Protection System: The Case of the Spanish Legislation," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-13, July.
    3. Lee, Charmaine J.M. & Goh, Esther C.L., 2020. "Using vignettes as a ‘safe space’ for low-income children to discuss sensitive topics in social work assessment," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    4. Paulo Delgado & João M. S. Carvalho & Sílvia Alves, 2023. "Children and Young People’s Participation in decision-making in Foster Care," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(1), pages 421-445, February.
    5. Gabriel, Thomas, 2023. "The child – Object or subject of child care?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    6. Cudjoe, Ebenezer & Uggerhøj, Lars & Abdullah, Alhassan, 2020. "“We are consultants, not collaborators”: Young people’s experiences with child protection meetings in Ghana," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    7. Gazit, Matan & Perry-Hazan, Lotem, 2020. "Disadvantaged youth’s participation in collective decision making," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    8. Floor Middel & Wendy Post & Mónica López López & Hans Grietens, 2021. "Participation of Children Involved in the Child Protection System – Validation of the Meaningful Participation Assessment Tool (MPAT)," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 14(2), pages 713-735, April.

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