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Notwithstanding the legal milestones observed in the Portuguese child protection system (CPS), several concerns call for political action to ensure the effective guarantee of children's rights. In this context, it is imperative to discuss proposals for reforming the CPS. Agreement on these proposals by the stakeholders in the system is key to validating and improving the system. Therefore, the main research questions of the present study are (1) what is the level of agreement among stakeholders in the CPS on certain proposals for child protection reform? and (2) what are the positions on those proposals? Mixed methods were conducted based on an online survey (n = 292), supported by Qualtrics, and eight focus groups involving stakeholders as former beneficiaries, families, practitioners and academics (n = 18). Findings show a harmonious alignment with the proposals, justifying an urgent reform of the CPS and the need to strengthen a child-centred system. Three themes emerged: promotion of quality family-based care and promotion of adoption; development of child-friendly terminology; and improvement of the CPS administration. The conclusions highlight implications for policy and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The child protection system in Qatar is newly developed and still fragmented and lacking a comprehensive legal framework. Qualitative interviews were conducted with a sample of social workers in civil society organizations within the Qatar Social Work Foundation to understand barriers encountered by social workers in child protection and strategies used to overcome these barriers. Findings suggest that policy makers should establish a national framework for child protection and a national referral system that supports social workers in case management. Policies for social worker safety are needed, as are permanent supervisors who are specialized in child protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The transition to adulthood is especially critical for young people who have been in the child protection system, as they face significant challenges in areas such as education, mental health, employment, and economics. Methods: This qualitative study examines the perceptions of 20 young adults from Spain who have exited the child protection system regarding their transition to adulthood. Structured interviews were conducted, transcribed, and analyzed using IRAMuTeQ software to identify thematic patterns. Results: The young adults reported inadequate preparation and a need for ongoing support, and they faced challenges in areas such as housing, employment, financial education, and mental health. They emphasized the importance of social and emotional support networks for successful adaptation. The results reveal a deficit in training programs and structural support, suggesting the need for a review of existing Spanish policies. Conclusions: Social educators play a crucial role in facilitating the transition to adulthood for young people who have been in protective systems in Spain, providing emotional support and resources to aid in their integration and autonomy. Effective coordination between institutional actors and Spanish society is vital to ensure a successful transition to adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geocaching is an activity that involves hiding or finding treasures (geocaches) anywhere with the help of GPS or geolocation. This work consists of the design, development and evaluation of a socioeducational practice, using a mobile device as a tool and a geolocation application as an instrument. The aim of this study is to find out the impact of the implementation of an educational practice in the municipal context to raise environmental awareness and improve digital literacy using geolocation. This proposal is part of the socio-educational area in the information society, within the field of child protection, specifically in a day care centre for minors. This research is qualitative, in particular it is a multiple case study and is framed within the narrative approach. The results and conclusions show that the children and the professionals involved are satisfied with the implementation of the socio-educational practice in the municipal context, with entertainment predominating as a positive aspect. The children have acquired mainly procedural knowledge, with the support of digital technology. Finally, it is worth mentioning the impact on motivation and conflict resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article delves into the processes of signification regarding resilience among adolescents who have traversed the Chilean child welfare and juvenile justice systems, as it plays a pivotal role in identifying factors conducive to adaptation and social integration. Drawing from qualitative research grounded in a phenomenological approach, the study analyzed six in-depth, semi-structured interviews with adolescents who have interacted with both systems. Findings underscore that personal resilience in adolescents is closely tied to their self-perception and learning experiences aimed at developing social skills and emotional regulation. Additionally, social and institutional resilience is marked by adolescents' perceptions of enhancements in their quality of life and their ability to adapt socially. They emphasize the importance of establishing solid, trustworthy, and enduring relationships with counselors and educators, alongside highlighting the supportive role of intervention institutions in fostering personal, relational growth, and in shaping a proactive and adaptive life trajectory. These outcomes underscore the need to integrate resilience processes into the design of interventions targeting vulnerable children and adolescents caught in situations of legal transgression, advocating for their incorporation into public policies addressing childhood and adolescent vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing and responding to risks to children’s safety is a primary concern of the child protection system (CPS), and decision-support tools have been developed to assist child welfare workers (CWW). Yet, a limited understanding of CWWs’ decision-making experiences impedes our efforts to effectively support them. This qualitative study examines the unique characteristics of decision-making in CPS through focus groups involving CWWs from an agency in California. Five themes emerged: CWWs’ responsibilities, decision-making characteristics, domain-specific complexities, and CWWs’ perspectives on fairness in decision-making. The findings highlight the need to incorporate CWWs’ experiences and insights in developing future decision-support tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sozial Extra is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study explored in the Finnish context whether additional income support for economically insecure households reduces the demand for child protection services at the municipality level. The data were retrieved from the Official Statistics of Finland from 294 municipalities in 2017–2019. Mediation and moderation analyses were used for testing the hypotheses. According to the results, household economic insecurity was associated with the demand for child protection services. The more economically insecure households there were in a municipality, the greater the demand for child protection services. On the other hand, additional income support has a buffering effect between household economic insecurity and the demand for child protection services. However, the effect of additional income support depends on the proportion of economically insecure households in a municipality. The degree of buffering effect was increasing when the proportion of household economic insecurity was also increasing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of a qualitative study that aims to explore the experiences of social workers who work in case management services in the child protection system, with special focus on their duties, the work tools they use in their work with the beneficiaries and the challenges encountered in providing case management services. The paper also reflects the suggestions made by social workers to increase the performance of their activities in providing case management. The data were obtained through individual interviews with ten social workers from case management services in a public child protection institution in Western Romania, data that were analysed thematically. The results of the study show that the main duties of social workers are based on the activity of monitoring children in foster care with professional foster careers and within centres for children temporarily or permanently separated from their parents – family‑type homes. The main work tools used in case management services are the monitoring sheet, the individualized protection plan, the quarterly evaluation report, the protection measure re‑evaluation report, the quarterly monitoring report, and the specific intervention plan. Among the main recommendations regarding the increase in the efficiency of social workers’ activity, the addition of specialized staff, as well as the introduction of supervised activities is mentioned. The present study draws the attention of social workers from the Romanian child protection system on their practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Child welfare-involved families have diverse and multi-faceted needs. Families who experience poverty and are investigated by the child protection system may represent a particularly vulnerable group. Objective: This study aims to understand the unique profiles of need that exist for families who experience poverty and are investigated by the Ontario child protection system. Participants and setting: Data from the Ontario Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect 2018 (OIS-2018) was used. The OIS-2018 is a cross-sectional study which collected information on investigations conducted in Ontario, Canada in 2018. Methods: A latent class analysis was conducted to identify and describe distinct classes of adversity among a representative sample of child protection investigations. Indicators of child, caregiver and economic adversity were used. Results: This study found evidence for eight distinct classes of adversity. With the exception of a low adversity class which emerged, the identified classes were characterized by distinct profiles of cooccurring adversities and there were several classes where indicators of poverty were probable. Investigation dispositions varied greatly by class. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of ensuring an optimal fit between the distinct needs of investigated families and the child welfare interventions provided. Services and supports that are tailored to the specific constellations of cooccurring adversities that families face may be more effective in reducing the need for future child welfare involvement and/or more intrusive child protection responses. It is likely that investigated families who experience poverty would benefit from a range of economic and concrete supports.

This article delves into the processes of signification regarding resilience among adolescents who have traversed the Chilean child welfare and juvenile justice systems, as it plays a pivotal role in identifying factors conducive to adaptation and social integration. Drawing from qualitative research grounded in a phenomenological approach, the study analyzed six in-depth, semi-structured interviews with adolescents who have interacted with both systems. Findings underscore that personal resilience in adolescents is closely tied to their self-perception and learning experiences aimed at developing social skills and emotional regulation. Additionally, social and institutional resilience is marked by adolescents’ perceptions of enhancements in their quality of life and their ability to adapt socially. They emphasize the importance of establishing solid, trustworthy, and enduring relationships with counselors and educators, alongside highlighting the supportive role of intervention institutions in fostering personal, relational growth, and in shaping a proactive and adaptive life trajectory. These outcomes underscore the need to integrate resilience processes into the design of interventions targeting vulnerable children and adolescents caught in situations of legal transgression, advocating for their incorporation into public policies addressing childhood and adolescent vulnerability.

Notwithstanding the legal milestones observed in the Portuguese child protection system (CPS), several concerns call for political action to ensure the effective guarantee of children’s rights. In this context, it is imperative to discuss proposals for reforming the CPS. Agreement on these proposals by the stakeholders in the system is key to validating and improving the system. Therefore, the main research questions of the present study are (1) what is the level of agreement among stakeholders in the CPS on certain proposals for child protection reform? and (2) what are the positions on those proposals? Mixed methods were conducted based on an online survey (n = 292), supported by Qualtrics, and eight focus groups involving stakeholders as former beneficiaries, families, practitioners and academics (n = 18). Findings show a harmonious alignment with the proposals, justifying an urgent reform of the CPS and the need to strengthen a child-centred system. Three themes emerged: promotion of quality family-based care and promotion of adoption; development of child-friendly terminology; and improvement of the CPS administration. The conclusions highlight implications for policy and practice.

Background: The transition to adulthood is especially critical for young people who have been in the child protection system, as they face significant challenges in areas such as education, mental health, employment, and economics. Methods: This qualitative study examines the perceptions of 20 young adults from Spain who have exited the child protection system regarding their transition to adulthood. Structured interviews were conducted, transcribed, and analyzed using IRAMuTeQ software to identify thematic patterns. Results: The young adults reported inadequate preparation and a need for ongoing support, and they faced challenges in areas such as housing, employment, financial education, and mental health. They emphasized the importance of social and emotional support networks for successful adaptation. The results reveal a deficit in training programs and structural support, suggesting the need for a review of existing Spanish policies. Conclusions: Social educators play a crucial role in facilitating the transition to adulthood for young people who have been in protective systems in Spain, providing emotional support and resources to aid in their integration and autonomy. Effective coordination between institutional actors and Spanish society is vital to ensure a successful transition to adulthood.

Objective: Infants affected by prenatal alcohol and drug use are more likely to be removed from parental custody than those in the general population, although it is unclear whether their custody outcomes differ from infants investigated by child protection systems (CPS) for other reasons. This analysis seeks to compare trajectories of involvement and custody outcomes among infants investigated by CPS with and without documentation of prenatal substance exposure (PSE). Method: We used vital birth records linked to administrative CPS records to examine the timing of system involvement and 3-year custodial outcomes among investigated infants with and without identified PSE. We defined PSE according to documentation on the state's standardized hotline screening form, which CPS completes upon referral for alleged maltreatment. We estimated the likelihood a child was in nonparental custody at age 3 by specifying multivariable generalized linear models, adjusted for covariates available in the birth record. Results: In our sample of 22,855 infants investigated by CPS in 2017 in California, more than 26% had documentation of PSE. These infants experienced an accelerated timeline of system penetration and were 2.2 times as likely to be in nonparental placement at age 3. Discussion: PSE confers an independent risk of custody interruption among infants investigated by CPS. The younger age of these infants, complexity of parental substance use, and potential misalignment of administrative permanency timelines with parental recovery all suggest the need for increased research, policy, and programmatic interventions to serve this vulnerable population. Significance: Children with PSE face environmental risks in the early developmental period. Often in the United States, CPS is relied on to assess and mitigate these risks. Amid calls for a public health response to PSE, it is essential to understand how children with PSE interact with CPS. We describe the incidence and timing of custody interruptions in a large U.S. state, comparing infants with PSE to those investigated by CPS for other reasons. This study extends current understanding by demonstrating the independent risk of custody interruption conferred by PSE status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The therapeutic alliance is among the factors associated with positive results in therapy and has been extensively studied in psychotherapy. However, it has received less attention in social work and family intervention. Considering that such intervention occurs mainly within the framework of institutions and public policies, this article aims to identify the contextual factors that facilitate or hinder the therapeutic alliance between family members and social workers within the child protection system, taking the Chilean protection system as a case study. This longitudinal study followed six professional–caregiver dyads for 11 months using various qualitative techniques. The facilitating factors included the strengths approach of the child protection agency, family participation, a friendly work environment, and external supervision from a senior social worker. Among the obstacles were the high numbers of cases per professional, the undervaluing of their work, excessive workloads, stigma towards the system, and the mandatory nature of services. Facilitating factors were linked to the initiatives of the protection agency, while limitations were related to the type of welfare system. Similar obstacles and facilitators were found at the international level regardless of the kind of child protection system. The study concludes with recommendations for decision‐makers and social worker educators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between participation and mental health of children and adolescents according to the perceptions of professionals working in the protection system in Chile. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 psychologists and 7 social workers (10 women and 5 men between 27 and 55 years old) belonging to the regions of Valparaíso, Metropolitana, Araucanía and Magallanes. A thematic analysis was carried out through an interpretative process of the data by constructing categories of analysis. It was found that among the professionals there is a low consensus regarding the concept of participation; that a contextual view of mental health prevails; and that they share the idea that the relationship between participation and mental health of children and adolescents is mainly given by the influence of participation on their mental health. Based on this, there is a need to generate new training and/or instances of reflection for professionals in the protection area where the idea of the reciprocal impact between participation and mental health of children and adolescents is strengthened. The need to include specific mechanisms to facilitate child participation in the technical guidelines of the programs is also proposed. As a projection for future research, it is necessary to explore the effective implementation of participation practices in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) are at risk of having adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), especially those with child protection and/or justice system involvement. The complex relationship between FASD and psychosocial vulnerabilities in the affected individual is an important clinical risk factor for comorbidity. This study (1) explored the ACEs and associated stressors in individuals with FASD; (2) investigated the association between ACEs and negative outcomes, i.e., justice/child protection system involvement; and (3) examined the relationship between ACEs and comorbid conditions such as mood and neurodevelopmental disorders. Methods Data were collected retrospectively via file review from diagnostic clinics in Western Australia. Life adversity was coded using a standardised ACEs questionnaire. A total of 211 participants (72% males) with FASD with a mean age of 11 years (range = 2–21) were included in the final sample. 70% of the total sample had been involved with the child protection system and 40% had trouble with the law. Results Exposure to drinking/substance misuse at home (70%) and domestic violence (52%) were the two most common ACEs across the total sample. In the entire cohort, 39% had four or more ACEs, indicating higher risks of poor health outcomes. Additional stressors recorded were disengagement from school (43%), transiency (19%), victims of bullying (12%), traumatic brain injury (9%) and homelessness (5%). ACEs such as drinking/substance misuse at home, emotional neglect and physical neglect were positively associated with child protection system involvement. Additionally, exposure to domestic violence was positively correlated with justice system involvement. Higher rates of life adversity in this clinical population were associated with an increased number of comorbidities. Specifically, those with FASD who had comorbidities such as attachment disorder, substance use disorder, and PTSD also reported higher ACEs scores. Conclusion ACEs were common in this clinical population. Increased ACEs in this sample were associated with increased comorbidities and involvement with the child protection and/or justice system. This highlights that prevention, intervention and early diagnosis of FASD are important for at risk children to reduce the negative effects of ACEs.

Social participation, leisure activities and the use of social networks could be key factors in the social inclusion of young unaccompanied migrants and their transition to adult life. Thus, relevant aspects are analysed regarding the community bonding that shapes young people's transition to adulthood and the influence the protection system, mainly residential care, exerts on this in Catalonia (Spain). More specifically, the aims are: (i) to analyse the type of social and community participation engaged in by young unaccompanied migrants; (ii) to investigate aspects related to their free time; (iii) to analyse their use of social networks and the influence they exert on these young people, and finally (iv) to prepare proposals that may help to improve public policies for children, youth and migration. Qualitative data were collected from five focus groups with young migrants, mainly from Morocco and sub-Saharan African countries, as well as interviews with social agents, with a total of 38 participants, giving voice to young people, educational agents and experts. The results reveal a lack of educational approaches, which, based on a previous design, implement measures derived from connecting the areas analysed in this text. Proposals are offered that are jointly based on the integrating and normalizing nature of participation, leisure and networks, conceiving young people as agents of social change. From the perspective of a socio-educational care and support model, several factors are identified that show room for improvement and the need to understand and seek changes in relation to the social situation of young unaccompanied migrants and their inclusion in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nemo Punitur Sine Injuria Facto Seu Defalta which means that no one is punished unless he makes a mistake. Every person who commits a criminal act is not necessarily subject to a criminal sentence, depending on whether the person can be held criminally responsible or not. On the other hand, a person who is sentenced to a crime of course commits a crime which violates the provisions of the written law and can be held accountable. One of the most important elements of accountability is making mistakes. Then what about children who are underage when they make mistakes. According to the law, can they be held accountable. Even though children who are in conflict with the law according to Article 1 paragraph (3) Law number 11 of 2012 concerning SPPA are children aged 12 (twelve) years, but not yet 18 (eighteen) years old who are suspected or intentional of committing a crime. Therefore this study examines criminal acts of minors by examining the Court Decision Number 2/Pid.SusAnak/2016/PN Mtr regarding the crime of sexual abuse where the perpetrator is underage, namely 14 (fourteen) years old while the victim is 3 (three) years old. three years. The judge in the decision sentenced the defendant to 5 (five) years in prison and a fine of 2,500.00 (two thousand five hundred rupiah). The method used in this research is descriptive analysis. As a result, this research shows that the panel of judges in upholding the law must prioritize three essences, namely justice, benefit, and legal certainty. According to the panel of judges, the criminal conviction of the accused perpetrator was to repay his behavior for what he did so that through this punishment the perpetrator would not repeat his actions. If we review Law 35 of 2014 that imposing criminal penalties on child offenders is no different from adult offenders, one of which is imprisonment. However, in this case, considering that the perpetrator is a minor, it is hoped that this case can be resolved out of court through diversion. This is in line with Law Number 11 of 2012 concerning the Juvenile Justice System. So that the formulation of the problem in this study is related to the panel of judges in imposing Decision Number 2/Pid.Sus-Anak/2016/PN Mtr regarding Obscenity whether it has fulfilled the three essences of law, namely the principles of Justice, Benefit and Certainty, Given the three essences This law is very important in implementing the judge's decision in a case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of European Journal of Social Work is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Although mandatory reporting has grown substantially in scope and geographical coverage, there is limited empirical evidence to support its effectiveness in preventing harm to children. In the absence of rigorous evaluations, comparing the perspectives of individuals who work in systems with and without mandatory reporting provides important insights. Objective: The purpose of this analysis was to compare perspectives of frontline workers, administrators, and experts in child abuse and neglect in a system with mandatory reporting (Colorado, United States) and one without mandatory reporting (The Netherlands). Methods: We conducted a total of 64 interviews with 77 participants. We used an iterative and team-based approach to code all interview transcripts. For this manuscript, we focused on codes and themes related to mandatory reporting. Results: Overall, we found much disagreement on mandatory reporting both within and across the two systems. Some participants identified that mandatory reporting could prevent communities from intervening, damage therapeutic relationships, and be overly intrusive to families. Others thought mandatory reporting was a meaningful way to increase the identification of maltreated children and reduce the burden on individuals and systems outside of child protection. Individuals' perspectives on local communities as either a partner in responding to maltreatment or as a conduit for referrals shaped their opinions. Conclusions: Evaluation of the outcomes of mandatory reporting policies is critical, and our work highlights factors to consider when implementing or modifying mandatory reporting policies and practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ljetopis Socijalnog Rada / Annual of Social Work is the property of Pravni Fakultet Sveucilista u Zagrebu, Studijski Centar Socijalnog Rada and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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Children are among the most vulnerable groups in society due to their special physical and mental conditions. This group of society needs the support of other people due to their inability to solve their problems. The family was the first institution to support children, but throughout history it has shrunk and weakened for a variety of reasons. Therefore, given the importance of child protection and the effectiveness of their position in the future of society, governments have formulated policies based on child protection. A comparative look at the types of child protection systems reveals the strengths and weaknesses of each system and can be used in the future to develop a high-quality support system. The findings show that each country has a different protection system based on various political, economic and cultural components. The Iranian protection system is based on child protection and the Turkish protection system is based on the provision of social services. In this study, which uses a descriptive-analytical method to analyze the data obtained form the library resources, while examining the types of child protection systems, a case study is condicted on the support systems in Iran and Turkey.

Early caregiving experiences set the stage for children’s developmental trajectories. Children who experience early adversity are more likely to show difficulties regulating their behaviors, emotions, and physiology than children who do not experience adversity. Parenting interventions designed to enhance parental sensitivity and responsiveness can buffer children from the detrimental effects of early adverse experiences and ultimately enhance child outcomes. One such intervention is Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC), an evidence-based home visiting program developed to enhance parental sensitivity and responsive care. In this paper, we review the intervention objectives and effectiveness of ABC. We then describe efforts made to supervise the fidelity and dissemination of ABC, including its implementation in diverse cultural contexts and with Spanish-speaking families in the United States. Lastly, we discuss the potential of ABC as a novel intervention to be implemented within the child welfare system in Spain and Latin America.

Copyright of Scientific Annals of the 'Al. I. Cuza' University, Iasi. Sociology & Social Work / Analele Stiintifice ale Universitatii 'Al. I. Cuza' Iasi Sociologie si Asistenta Sociala is the property of Alexandru Ioan Cuza University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) are at risk of having adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), especially those with child protection and/or justice system involvement. The complex relationship between FASD and psychosocial vulnerabilities in the affected individual is an important clinical risk factor for comorbidity. This study (1) explored the ACEs and associated stressors in individuals with FASD; (2) investigated the association between ACEs and negative outcomes, i.e., justice/child protection system involvement; and (3) examined the relationship between ACEs and comorbid conditions such as mood and neurodevelopmental disorders.Methods: Data were collected retrospectively via file review from diagnostic clinics in Western Australia. Life adversity was coded using a standardised ACEs questionnaire. A total of 211 participants (72% males) with FASD with a mean age of 11 years (range = 2-21) were included in the final sample. 70% of the total sample had been involved with the child protection system and 40% had trouble with the law.Results: Exposure to drinking/substance misuse at home (70%) and domestic violence (52%) were the two most common ACEs across the total sample. In the entire cohort, 39% had four or more ACEs, indicating higher risks of poor health outcomes. Additional stressors recorded were disengagement from school (43%), transiency (19%), victims of bullying (12%), traumatic brain injury (9%) and homelessness (5%). ACEs such as drinking/substance misuse at home, emotional neglect and physical neglect were positively associated with child protection system involvement. Additionally, exposure to domestic violence was positively correlated with justice system involvement. Higher rates of life adversity in this clinical population were associated with an increased number of comorbidities. Specifically, those with FASD who had comorbidities such as attachment disorder, substance use disorder, and PTSD also reported higher ACEs scores.Conclusion: ACEs were common in this clinical population. Increased ACEs in this sample were associated with increased comorbidities and involvement with the child protection and/or justice system. This highlights that prevention, intervention and early diagnosis of FASD are important for at risk children to reduce the negative effects of ACEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we examine the trust placed by the populations of nine jurisdictions in their child protection systems. These systems protect children's rights and grant authority for invasive interventions to curtail or even terminate parental rights and responsibilities. We have representative samples of the populations of each jurisdiction. The results show that about 40–50% of respondents express trust in the child protection agencies, social workers and judges who make decisions. There are clear differences between jurisdictions, with the Anglo-American countries at the lower end of the trust scale. Examining the impact of institutional context, we find that institutional context matters for the degree of peoples' trust in the child protection system. This indicates that the typology of child protection systems has relevance, and more empirical studies are encouraged. Some demographic characteristics (age, having children, income, education) and ideological variables (political orientation) are also correlated with trust levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Educational Research (22196064) is the property of Association of Arab Universities and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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Copyright of Trashumante. Revista Americana de Historia Social is the property of Universidad de Antioquia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives Socioeconomic disadvantage and poverty are considered important drivers of child maltreatment, particularly child neglect. We examine the prevalence, cumulative incidence, and notification rate of child protection (CP) contact among children who experienced intergenerational welfare contact (IWC) compared to families with other types of welfare contact (WC). Approach A whole-population linked administrative data study of children in South Australia born 1991-1995 (n=94,358), followed from birth up to age 20 years and their parent/s (n=143,814). The study used de-identified data from the Better Evidence Better Outcomes Linked Data (BEBOLD) platform including data from Australian Government Centrelink (welfare payments), birth registration, perinatal birth records, and child protection records. Children were classified as: No WC, parent only WC, child only WC, or IWC. Child protection contact prevalence, rates, and cumulative incidence were estimated by age, level of contact (reported notifications, screened-in reports, investigations, substantiations and out-of-home care), and WC group. Results Using Australian Government Centrelink data, WC was defined as parent/s receiving a means-tested welfare payment (low-income, unemployment, disability or caring) when children were aged 11-15, or children receiving payment at ages 16-20. IWC was WC occurring in both parent and child generations. Children who experienced IWC accounted for 84.7% of all CP notifications at ages 0-17 years and had the highest prevalence of CP contact (37.3%, n=12,286), compared to children experiencing parent only WC (16.1%), child only WC (11.6%), and no WC (4.7%). This trend was consistent across all levels of CP contact. Children who experienced IWC had higher notification rates at every age compared to all other WC types. Conclusions and Relevance Children experiencing IWC represent a third of the population aged 11-20, yet account for 84.7% of all child protection notifications. Our study shows that children who experience IWC have higher personal (cumulative incidence and prevalence) and societal (notification rates) child protection costs than their counterfactual (parent only WC).

Abstract Background With regular contacts to the general child population, healthcare professionals could play an important role in the detection of child maltreatment. However, a majority of child maltreatment cases go unnoticed by the healthcare system. Child protection legislations usually offer terms like “reasonable suspicion” to corner a threshold that warrants reporting to child protection services (CPS) is defined as. The indistinct legal terminology leads to marked differences in the interpretation of this threshold. Therefore, we aimed to systematically assess the understanding of reasonable suspicion and subsequent handling of cases in the German context. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 2485 physicians and psychotherapists working with children and adolescents. Field access was gained by German professional associations. Via case vignettes, predictors of thresholds for reporting were assessed. Results The probability of a report to CPS increased positively with the degree of suspicion for maltreatment. However, even if participants were certain that child maltreatment occurred, 20% did not chose to report to CPS. Training in child protection lowered the professionals’ threshold for reasonable suspicion; experience with child protection cases and good knowledge of the legal framework increased the likelihood to report an alleged situation of child maltreatment to CPS. Conclusion Our data show that a significant proportion of health care professionals are uncertain about estimating reasonable suspicion and on how to proceed when there are strong indications for child maltreatment Therefore, data point towards the relevance of training in child protection among healthcare professionals in order to improve detection and adequate handling of cases of child maltreatment.

Child maltreatment is a global phenomenon that has affected millions of children, with far-reaching consequences for their development. The assessment of risk has emerged as a fundamental and indispensable component within child protection services. Professionals should use safe and effective risk assessment practices, always prioritizing the best interests of the child. This systematic review aims to elucidate the prevailing risk assessment practices employed by professionals within the child protection systems. The systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Thirteen empirical studies were selected, featuring participants from diverse fields such as social services, health, psychology, and law enforcement. The professionals relied on a multifaceted approach, incorporating clinical judgment, professional expertise, actuarial risk assessment tools, individual interviews with children, adolescents, and family members, as well as the observation of familial dynamics. Moreover, intra- and interinstitutional collaboration played a pivotal role in the comprehensive evaluation of risk. Consequently, the discerned efficient practice appears to be a synergistic effort undertaken by a transdisciplinary team. This collaborative action encompasses the utilization of clinical judgment, augmented by the judicious administration of actuarial risk assessment instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have explored the mechanisms of intergenerational transmission of child maltreatment (ITCM), which also involves care-experienced parents; however, what is less explored is their direct experience, especially regarding resilience processes. Developing the theoretical framework of ITCM through an exploration of the perspectives of those who appear to have interrupted it. A sample of 27 Italian parents - with experience in foster and/or residential care - who have broken the ITCM, completed an in-depth interview between May 2021 and February 2023. A Constructivist Grounded Theory (Charmaz, 2014) approach was adopted in carrying out the interviews, which focused on daily experiences of parenting (Morgan, 2011) and on factors perceived as supporting ITCM interruption. Data were analyzed using open, focused and theoretical coding; the analysis itself was discussed with a consultive board of care-experienced parents. The study highlighted important aspects that, from parents' perspectives, play a role in breaking ITCM: for instance, how their parenting experience is a challenging process of constructing what they term 'zero family'. Furthermore, starting a family from scratch requires coming to terms with the past, re-imagining oneself as a parent, and managing the complexity of everyday life despite such tensions. The results throw light on how the transition to parenthood itself is perceived as a significant developmental opportunity for the interruption of ITCM. However, many problems persist, foregrounding the relevance of discussing possible supports to strengthen parenting agency and skills. Such a discussion should therefore be increasingly informed by ecological approaches and parents' perspectives (also on everyday practices and life contexts), thus avoiding the risk of pathologizing responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early caregiving experiences set the stage for children's developmental trajectories. Children who experience early adversity are more likely to show difficulties regulating their behaviors, emotions, and physiology than children who do not experience adversity. Parenting interventions designed to enhance parental sensitivity and responsiveness can buffer children from the detrimental effects of early adverse experiences and ultimately enhance child outcomes. One such intervention is Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC), an evidence-based home visiting program developed to enhance parental sensitivity and responsive care. In this paper, we review the intervention objectives and effectiveness of ABC. We then describe efforts made to supervise the fidelity and dissemination of ABC, including its implementation in diverse cultural contexts and with Spanish-speaking families in the United States. Lastly, we discuss the potential of ABC as a novel intervention to be implemented within the child welfare system in Spain and Latin America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous research has shown that young people in the child protection system experience different levels of participation in decision-making on important issues. Nonetheless, researchers agree that children's participation in decision-making is likely to affect critical factors in their lives, such as educational and employment performance., Objectives: This study aimed to examine (1) to what extent the level of participation in decision-making is related to this group of young people's subsequent education and employment, and (2) how the relation varies between different dimensions of the measure of participation., Participants and Setting: Participants were a sample of 1477 young Danish individuals who received out-of-home care or preventive in-home care in 2019 and who answered a questionnaire regarding their participation in decision-making., Results: This study found a positive association between overall perceived participation and entering upper secondary education, even after controlling for individual-, parental- and case-specific background characteristics. However, no association with school-leaving exams or employment was identified. Unfolding the underlying dimensions of our measure of participation showed that the influence dimension drives a positive association with upper secondary education. At the same time, a better relationship with the caseworker is positively related to leaving the labor market., Conclusions: Young people's participation in decision-making in the child protection system does not relate as strongly to their subsequent performance as anticipated. However, the measure of participation is complex. The evidence suggests that the lack of association is partly driven by non-linear associations and the causal ambiguity of the dimension concerning the relationship with the caseworker., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)