The challenge of engaging fathers in the child protection process

Scourfield, Jonathan Bryn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6218-8158 2006. The challenge of engaging fathers in the child protection process. Critical Social Policy 26 (2) , pp. 440-449. 10.1177/0261018306062594

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Abstract

This commentary piece gives an overview of the well-known difficulties of engaging fathers in the child protection process and makes some suggestions about constructive responses from services. There is brief discussion of the historical context of the problem, current child welfare policy, the culture of front-line practice amongst child protection staff and the behaviour of fathers who come to the attention of child protection staff. Ideas for changes in policy and practice include embracing more sophisticated theory, avoiding the dualistic responses of seeing men as either risk or resource, institutionalising the engagement of men as core business and building on interventions that have been found by research to be effective. A range of effective interventions may be relevant, including cognitive-behavioural work with abusive men and strengths-based family work such as the family group conference.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics > RJ101 Child Health. Child health services
Uncontrolled Keywords:	child abuse; child protection; fathers; gender social work
Publisher:	SAGE Publishing
ISSN:	0261-0183
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	02 May 2023 14:02
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/44771

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