Collective participation of children and young people in child welfare services–opportunities and challenges

Abstract

This study explores opportunities and challenges for the participation of children and young people in Norwegian Child Welfare Services (CWS) through analysis from an action research project. The project aimed at collective participation in developing and improving child welfare services in a research circle in cooperation between young people, social workers from CWS and researchers. The researchers intended to involve the young people directly in the project, but the social workers opposed this. The project, therefore, proceeded with social workers and researchers in the research circle and parallel interviews and group conferences with young people with experience from CWS. The young people reported that they would have participated in the research circle if invited. This dichotomy between the social workers and the young people’s opinions is the background for discussing opportunities and challenges for children and young people’s collective participation in CWS. We conclude that a view of CYP and professional role characterised by protectionism and paternalism, together with a lack of knowledge and experience, hinder the collective participation of children and young people. We recommend that Child welfare services explore and develop working methods for collective participation in cooperation with children and young people.