Which participation practices can be found in child welfare service records?

Abstract

Several studies show insufficient practices regarding children’s participation in child welfare cases. This article is based on document analysis of 216 child welfare records from four Norwegian Child Welfare Services. Our study aims to investigate whether varying degrees and forms of participation are found in different phases of child welfare work: investigation, supportive measures, and in care. With whom the child talks, the topic, and the phase of the process are crucial for whether participation is documented. Individual conversations with the child welfare worker regarding child welfare topics enhance the probability of the child’s views being documented in their records.