Hazel Whitters Practitioner-researcher University of Strathclyde

2. Hazel Whitters
Practitioner-researcher
The parent-professional
relationship in child
protection

3. Relationship of service-user and
service-provider
• Rogers (1990): a therapeutic
alliance
• Howe (2008): to re-form a sense of
self
• Scott Gov.(2010): medium to
implement early intervention

4. Research Question
“How do parents and
professionals perceive the
influences upon their
relationships in a context of
child protection?”

5. Research Design
Semi-structured interviews/thematic analysis
•21 multi-disciplinary professionals:
health, education, social work
•9 mothers: addiction, mental health, child
protection
Archived case file – documentary analysis
•One mother, three children, 12 year period

6. First Key Finding
Divergence
Service-users (8/9) perceived
child protection as a
positive influence
Service-providers (18/21) perceived
child protection as a
negative influence

7. Quotes
“I feel it has always been to my advantage that I
have been made aware. They explain it’s not
just for your child…it’s for you as well.”
(Parent)
“Things go to the Children’s Reporter and it’s
like
a blame culture. They think it is our fault. Child
protection is always really negative.” (Health)

8. Understanding
• Normalisation of child protection by parents
inter-generational/community/organisation
• Negative collective attitude by professionals
social referencing/culture of practice
Divergence of perceptions =
potential weakness in organisational capacity
of parent-professional dyad

9. Second Key Finding
Convergence
Service-users (7/9)
and
Service-providers (17/21) perceived
informal verbal communication as
a positive influence
•transferable pre-crisis to post-crisis
•relationship supports sign-posting

10. Quotes
“If you had a problem, it is not a case
of saying I need help, just a wee chat.” (Parent)
“You notice if something is wrong and say we could
have a wee chat. You give support sooner rather
than later.” (Social worker)
“If you are honest they accept but never agree, but
you can continue with the relationship.” (Health)

11. Understanding
• Direct informal signalling of felt need by
parents/readiness to learn
• Recognition of cues and empathic responding
by professionals/sign-posting
Convergence of perceptions =
potential strength in organisational capacity of
parent-professional dyad
pre-crisis and post-crisis

12. Third Key Finding
Convergence
Health, education, social work
agreed
upon positivity and negativity of influences
No evidence of direct professional response
to a change in perceptions

13. Quotes
“An institutional influence and watching
colleagues.” (Education)
“The atmosphere that the work creates
and how you make relationships.”
(Health)
“You have to take control and that does

14. Understanding
•Culture of practice by integrated
team based upon positive and
negative perceptions of multi-
disciplinary providers.

15. How do parents and professionals
perceive influences ……………….?
“Personal, social and cultural
influences are perceived by
service-users and service-providers
as strengthening and weakening the
parent-professional relationship”

16. Implications
Divergence
•Difference in interpretation, understanding, expectations
•May affect empathic responding by professionals
•Changes in perceptions may not be recognised
Convergence
•Timely implementation
•Parents: active participants of change and development
•An “equal parent-professional partnership”
•A positive outcome
Recommendation: training, support, supervision

17. Thank you
hazel@jeely.org.uk