Child-Directed Social Work Practice: Findings from an Action Research Study Conducted in Iceland

• Published in: British Journal of Social Work
• Main Author: Fern, Elizabeth
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press 2012
• Subjects: Article; Iceland
• Online Access: http://bjsw.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/bcs099v1; https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcs099

This paper explores the concept of child-directed practice. This concept was developed from previous research on ‘child-centred’ and ‘participatory’ practice and refined through analysis of data generated in an action research study of social workers' conceptualisations of childhood and the implications for their practice. The concept of child-directed practice emphasises children's rights to be included in decision making, but it goes further in a number of important ways. Above all, child-directed practice involves a shift in power relations towards greater equality between practitioners and children in how practice is conceptualised and carried out. Drawing on data from research with practitioners and informed by consultation with young people, the paper explores key factors in developing an approach to practice that assists practitioners in increasing their understanding of the predicaments facing the children and young people and using this understanding to make a real difference to what happens. Important changes included shifts in perception of the social work role away from making decisions for young people and towards making knowledge, skill and resources available to young people to assist them in making and carrying out decisions.