It focuses on the question, "How can child protection professionals
actually build partnerships with parents where there is suspected or
substantiated child abuse or neglect?" The authors bring the solution
orientation to child protection work, expanding the investigation of
risk to encompass signs of safety that can be built upon to stabilize
and strengthen the child's and family's situation. The philosophy behind
this approach is clearly articulated through ten practice principles
that serve as guiding beacons for child protection workers as they
traverse the rough waters of abuse and neglect investigation. Child
protection workers are involved with vulnerable, at-risk children in
potentially volatile situations. Here they will find a new child
protection assessment and planning protocol that allows for
comprehensive risk assessment incorporating both danger and safety and
the perspectives of both professionals and service recipients (parents).
The authors provide practical, hands-on strategies for building a
partnership with parents, which may, in the long run, prevent abuse and
family dissolution. They illustrate these strategies in cases showing
the subtle process of integrating the seemingly opposite notions of
coercion and cooperation. Respectful, optimistic, and highly practical,
this book promises to revitalize and redirect child protection services.
