Multi-professional work in child protection decision-making: an Israeli case study

Alfandari, Ravit (2019) Multi-professional work in child protection decision-making: an Israeli case study. Children and Youth Services Review, 98. pp. 51-57. ISSN 0190-7409

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Abstract

Based on the premise that functional, multi-professional work in the child protection process is crucial to the delivery of effective service, this article reports on a qualitative study carried out to evaluate inter-agency and multi-disciplinary practice in Israeli decision-making committees. The investigation was directed by the systems approach and looked at practice in the context of the work environment. It examined the cases of 21 families referred to the committees of one of seven social services departments, with follow-up after six months. Data collection involved observations of the discussions and interviews with social workers. According to the findings, school representatives were the only professionals outside of the social service system to participate in the committees, and the committee chairs and senior social workers were dominant in making intervention decisions. Indication of groupthink bias was also found. The follow-up data revealed partial implementation of intervention plans and limited improvement in the children’s condition. The analysis identified several systemic sources of difficulty towards achieving meaningful interagency working, including a lack of legislation and departmental organizational conditions. The study advocates an alternative, fresh, whole system approach to the delivery of services for vulnerable children and families.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2018 Elsevier Ltd.
Divisions:	Social Policy
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HM Sociology H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
Date Deposited:	20 Dec 2018 14:59
Last Modified:	27 Sep 2024 01:15
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/91407

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