Policies and responses with regard to child abuse and neglect in England, Germany and the Netherlands: a comparative multi-site study (PORECAN)

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Sabine Walper
• Subject Area: Education Systems and Educational Institutions
• Term: from 2014 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 260368014

The PORECAN project aims to discover the nature and impact of variations in child protection systems through a comparison of three quite different welfare states (England, Germany, the Netherlands). It includes a comparative analysis of child protection policy and empirical studies of child protection practice. Findings from the policy analysis will underpin the empirical phase, which will compare (i) state responses to child maltreatment notifications and (ii) parent perspectives on professional intervention in different welfare states. We will compare: the ways child protection measures are negotiated, legitimized and perceived (by professionals and parents); their impact on children (e.g. protection/re-abuse; removal from home); the relationship between national policy, thresholds for intervention and social justice; rhetoric in child protection policy and practice, locating this within the wider child welfare policy framework in each country. The study will also compare wider assumptions about the role of the state in family life, (including those regarding the rights of parents) and the ways different welfare states seek to balance children s rights to protection (under the UNCRC) and parents rights to family life (under the Human Rights Act). Through this comparative analysis, the PORECAN project will generate new insights into child protection policy and practice and so have a significant impact on future developments in child welfare in Europe. Relevant NORFACE themes: Future politics of the welfare state, Inequalities, diversity and the welfare state and People and the welfare state. Prof. Grietens will be responsible for overall project management and all other WPs will be co-ordinated by a nominated team member.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Netherlands, United Kingdom
• Participating Persons: Professorin Dr. Nina Biehal; Professor Dr. Hans Grietens