University of Sussex
Browse

File(s) not publicly available

Justice for children? Child protection and the crimino-legal process

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 08:14 authored by Elaine SharlandElaine Sharland
Changes in the crimino-legal process during the last few years have blurred the boundaries between criminal justice and children¿s welfare in child protection. These developments have, however, received relatively little critical attention within contemporary discourses surrounding child protection. This paper draws upon primary and secondary research findings to explore the appropriateness and effectiveness of current forensically led responses to child abuse. In particular, it questions the adequacy of existing operational constructs of justice in child protection, arguing the case for a far more comprehensive notion of `justice for children¿ than presently prevails. Research evidence is reviewed suggesting that current crimino-legally driven practices fail to achieve even the limited objectives of criminal justice, let alone the higher goals of promoting children¿s welfare or attaining `justice for children¿. Finally the paper explores how these findings may inform and be informed by current debates and practice in social work. While a range of policy and practice remedies are suggested, these, it is argued, must be framed with recognition of the tensions and dilemmas underlying social work in a complex and uncertain social world.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Child and Family Social Work

ISSN

1356-7500

Publisher

Blackwell Publishing

Issue

4

Volume

4

Page range

303-313

Pages

11.0

Department affiliated with

  • Social Work and Social Care Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC