There have long been doubts within social work about the viability of reconciling participatory
practice with the statutory power that comes hand-in-hand with child protection work. This book
explores this issue by proposing an original theory of children's participation within
statutory child protection interventions. It prioritises children's voices through presentation
of a wide collection of children's experiences of the child protection system including three
unique in-depth accounts.Identifying the different ways in which children engage with
professionals in the child protection process Duncan explores why they act in the ways that
they do. The book reveals why some children are sceptical participants or become disaffected
with the system whilst others participate more positively within it.Participation in Child
Protection will be of interest to students and scholars across a range of disciplines
including social work sociology psychology counselling law and education as well as child
protection professionals such as social workers child protection police officers health
visitors and teachers.
