1. 'I'm just a mother. I'm nothing special, they're all professionals': parental advocacy as an aid to parental engagement.
- Author
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Featherstone, Brid and Fraser, Claire
- Subjects
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COOPERATIVENESS , *CUSTODY of children , *HUMAN rights , *CASE studies , *EVALUATION of medical care , *MEDICAL personnel , *MENTAL illness , *MINORITIES , *MOTHERS , *SELF-efficacy , *SEXISM , *PILOT projects , *SOCIAL support , *COMMUNICATION barriers , *PATIENTS' families , *PATIENT care conferences , *EVALUATION of human services programs - Abstract
ABSTRACT This paper discusses findings from an evaluation of an advocacy scheme for parents whose children were subject to child protection proceedings including a pilot project where co-operation between parents and professionals was an issue. Encouraging findings of parents' experiences of being heard, being able to listen, and, in some cases, to act on concerns about their children's welfare are outlined. Three case studies offer accounts of practices that are gendered and occur against a backdrop of ethnic disadvantage. The paper suggests that current debates about reform need to recognize the need to support parents to manage intimidating systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2012
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