doing child welfare differently … lac experiences in 3 cultural and organizational contexts
DESCRIPTION
Doing Child Welfare Differently … LAC experiences in 3 cultural and organizational contexts. Umeå University Evelyn Khoo, MSW PhD. ‘The Travelling Idea of LAC’ (Nygren). Aims : 3 key functions of LAC – BBIC Implementation in 3 contexts Opinions - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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Doing Child Welfare Differently
… LAC experiences in 3 cultural and organizational contexts.
Umeå University
Evelyn Khoo, MSW PhD
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‘The Travelling Idea of LAC’
(Nygren)
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The Research Project: Looking After Children in Need
Aims:
–3 key functions of LAC – BBIC
– Implementation in 3 contexts
–Opinions
• Because: Context matters to the 5 Ws and How SWEDISH COUNCIL FOR WORKING LIFE AND SOCIAL RESEARCH
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The Research Project: Looking After Children in Need
OACAS
People
Local Sites
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Collecting the Data
FOCUS GROUPS
Managers
Social Workers
Key Informant Interviews
SURVEYS
59
170
165
DOCUMENTS -
AAR, Training etc.
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Everybody Loves LAC
Oh, really??
Not quite…
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strongly agree
agree somewhat agree
neutral somewhat disagree
disagree strongly disagre
0
10
20
30
40
Perc
en
t
The LAC approach improves parenting of children in care
strongly agree
agree Somewhat agree
neutral somewhat disagree
disagree strongly disagree
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Perc
en
t
Australia
The LAC approach improves parenting of cic
strongly agree
agree Somewhat agree
neutral somewhat disagree
strongly disagree
0
10
20
30
40
50
Pe
rce
nt
Sweden
The LAC approach improves parenting of cic
strongly agree
agree Somewhat agree
neutral somewhat disagree
disagree strongly disagree
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Perc
en
t
Canada
The LAC approach improves parenting of cic
strongly agree
agree somewhat agre
neutral somewhat disagree
disagree
The LAC approach improves standards
0
5
10
15
20
25
Fre
qu
en
cy
The LAC approach improves standards
strongly agree
agree somewhat agre
neutral somewhat disagree
disagree strongly disagre
BBIC approach improves standards
0
10
20
30
40
50
Fre
qu
en
cy
BBIC approach improves standards
strongly agree
agree somewhat agre
neutral somewhat disagree
disagree strongly disagre
The LAC approach improves standards
0
10
20
30
40
50
Fre
qu
en
cy
The LAC approach improves standards
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The Enthusiasts
Mostly positive about LAC’s strengths
Important for ‘Best Practices’
Helps decision-making
Strengthens accountability
Time is the greatest barrier
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Barnardos
• Children in a series of short-term placements often miss out on the fundamentals, particularly in regard to peer relationships, self image etc.
• It improves work with children and families.
• I wish that DCS would use this tool as I despair over some of the casework they do without LAC guidelines.
• I feel it is a good monitoring tool for child in care. Yet, it could be made more inclusive to their voices.
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SwedenCautious Optimists
•Generally positive but wider range of opinions
•Buy into BBIC’s unique care philosophy
•Conceptual Map is key
•Child is in focus
•Time, Budgets & Organizational Limits
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BBIC Kommuns
• BBIC is a great way to carry out [work. It gives] structure and put the child in focus. But, it is incredibly time consuming. So, follow-up can be delayed and there a risk that too much work is put on administration.
• It is important to discuss the values behind the concept and come to an agreement on what is most important about BBIC – filling in all the forms correctly or learning to use the ideas behind the triangle or ideas in the forms. It’s easy to get hung up on discussions about all the forms. You have to keep your head out of that if you don’t want to drown and instead discuss and decide on which bits are most important and take one piece at a time.
• The child is the focus.
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CAS Fans and Critics
Mostly positive but not wildly enthusiastic
More varied opinions
AAR focused
An exercise in form-filling
Time and Organization are limits
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CAS
• Looking After Children is child focused. This is great! LAC challenges the fiscal policy of agencies - this is good.
• LAC is time consuming - this too is good for kids… Workers need policy changes to ensure they have the monies and time or the process will become frustrating for staff.
• Please ask the children and youth how they feel about this. They feel forced and abnormal (different from their peers in the home).
• This LAC was to respond to policy and research, not to the interests or needs of children.
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Why the similarities & differences?
• Context has influenced the purpose, meaning and legitimacy of LAC.
• Context has channelled LAC efforts in specific directions.
• Translating LAC impacts practice.
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What LAC does well
• Improves parenting standards and practices
• Guiding practice & decision-making
• Makes us responsible parents
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Problems still…
• Limiting professional discretion• Form-filling• Resources
– Time– Money– Skills
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Lessons Learned
• Key People Matter– Leaders, ‘fire keepers’, users
• Training and Support are essential– Initial and ongoing
• Integration follows implementation– Strategies needed
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Khawp khunCám ón
Salamot
GraciasGiitus
Merci! Thank you!
Tack! Danke
Kiitos
Arigato Ngiyabonga