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A study on senior managers’ views of participation in one local authority a case of wilful blindness?

  • Clive Diaz
    ,
  • Tricia Aylward
Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Open access

Abstract

Children in care are one of the most vulnerable groups in our society and senior managers should be committed towards improving their well-being. Empowerment through participation can contribute to this. This study considered the extent to which young people in care were encouraged to participate in decision making, particularly in their review meetings. The paper explores the views of seven senior managers in one local authority in this regard. It formed part of a wider study in which social workers, independent reviewing officers and young people in care were also interviewed. Findings indicate a disconnect between senior managers’ views and other participants. Senior managers were unaware of the challenges that the social workers and independent reviewing officers said they faced. Their understanding of meaningful participation appeared to be limited, their curiosity subdued and their willingness to challenge limited. Senior managers informed that care plans were not up-to-date or considered at the review and were unsure about what opportunities children had to participate and how management could support this. Senior managers reflected that little seemed to have changed in relation to children’s participation in their reviews over the last twenty-five years.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 1333-1349

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

British Journal of Social Work (Volume 49, Issue 5)

Publication milestones

  • Accepted/In press - 01/10/2018
  • Published - 16/11/2019

Publication status

Published - 16/11/2019

ISSN

0045-3102

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/623606
  • Scopus: 85071755143

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