Child Protection Services: Comparison of a Referred Family Centre and a Field Social Work Service in South Wales

Abstract

This article summarizes key findings from a 2-year case study in South Wales (U.K.) of social work intervention with 20 families where there was a likelihood of significant harm to children. Ten families received a family centre service; 10 had afield social work service. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the family centre by comparing the views of the 20 families and their social workers in respect of the perceived benefits and limitations of the respective services, and by comparing the outcome of these two services in the context of change in family dynamics and in any change in the legal or administrative status of the 20 families regarding their involvement in the local child protection system. The research findings focus on the views of parents or other adult carers only and indicate that those clients who attended the family centre were more likely to improve family functioning and to reduce their involvement with child protection services than those who received a field social work service only. The reasons for this are explored and conclusions are drawn on the likely ingredients of the family centre service that appeared to make for more effective intervention than field social work.