Abstract
The researchers describe a study conducted to explore how child protection practitioners negotiate their way through ambiguous and contradictory evidence when working with families under a suspicion of neglect. In depth interviews were conducted in order to understand the processes of discernment that practitioners used to determine how to proceed. Through our practitioners’ practice narratives, we provide a glimpse into the complex relationship between discernment, identity and contexts where neglect is a concern. Implications for training, education, and practice are included.
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Acknowledgments
We would like to acknowledge Drs. Artz and Magnuson as fellow researchers and Nathan Patten, M.A. CYC, Jeremy Berland, MSW, Janet Newbury, M.A. CYC and Sobhana Daniel MSW. for providing research assistance and extensive and valuable consultation for this project.
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Hoskins, M.L., White, J. Processes of Discernment when Considering Issues of Neglect in Child Protection Practice. Child Youth Care Forum 39, 27–45 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-009-9089-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-009-9089-3