Giving children a voice : a qualitative study about children under a care order and their process of involvement in residential care

Abstract

The study explores the experience of children protected by a care order and residing in care with regard to their process of involvement and participation in decision making with matters that affect them. This study also wants to give a voice to these children. Five children whose ages range between 10 and 18 years were interviewed using five pictorial vignettes that covered various situations whilst in a residential home. Their views about the relationship with the social worker, the relationship with the Head of Care, the relationship with other staff members, their experience in front of the Children and Young Persons’ Advisory Board and during a case review were explored and discussed. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data collected. Most of them experienced bitter feelings such as they were anxious, fearful, and speechless before and during the Advisory Board. Similar feelings were expressed before and during the case review. Some of the children complained on how the voices of children are not taken seriously into account since they do not enjoy quality time with their social workers and Head of Care. One of the main concerns children complained about was the lack of social worker’s visits and quality time spent with them. The social worker’s huge case restricts contact with children. Both the social worker’s, Head of Care and care workers have very limited time to listen to the children opinions. Moreover, other views shared were regards turnover of staff, the number of persons present during the Advisory Board hearing, uneasiness to attend for the Board hearing, children’s preparation by professionals before attending for the Advisory Board and the case review, support from professionals during the Board meeting and case review, and the lack of participation during the case review. Furthermore, more trained staff, adequate family based residential settings, less number of persons present during Board Hearings were some of the suggestions put forward by children themselves. Moreover, legislation that safeguard’s children’s best interests, gives children a voice and ultimately protects children’s rights is paramount.