Exploring How Social Workers Experience and Perceive the Participation of Care Experienced Children and Young People: A Qualitative Pilot Study

Abstract

The last few decades have seen increased recognition of the importance of involving children and young people in all matters relating to their care experience, yet despite a range of opportunities, this population continues to feel unheard. Social Workers are involved in supporting, promoting, and advising Care Experienced Children and Young People (CECYP) and as such may have experience into why this area remains difficult. This research sought to understand how social workers experience and perceive the participation of CECYP. Qualitative methodology used semi-structured interviews from a sample group of three to gain the experience of the participants. Thematic analysis generated four themes: Social workers’ experience of the voice of CECYP, oversight and impact, creating ways to engage and internal and external dialogue. The value of the study emphasises the experience of the participants in understanding their own perceptions of conflict when hearing and responding to the voice of CECYP, the potential pitfalls, and any changes needed in practice. The findings highlight that while the voice of CECYP is heard, the message itself is difficult to decipher or acted upon, due to the circumstances of CECYP at that moment in time and the constraints imposed on both parties.

Keywords:

• Care experience children and young people (CECYP)
• participation
• impact
• emotion

Acknowledgements

I am grateful to the social workers who took the time to take part in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tonimarie Benaton

Tonimarie Benaton is a qualified and registered Social Worker with over 16 year of practice experience working with children and families within the areas of: Care Experienced Children and Young People (CECYP), Adoption and Fostering, Training and Education and as an Independent Reviewing Officer. Tonimarie moved into academia in 2016 initially with the University of Derby as a Senior Social Work Lecturer on the BA (Hons) Social Work Degree Program. She moved to Nottingham Trent University in 2022 as the Course Leader: Level 6 Integrated Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship BA (Hons) program. Tonimaire is a committee member for BASW (Notts/shire and Derby/shire) supporting the experience and training of Social Workers. Her research is within the areas of: Interprofessional learning and working, contested care for CECYP, the impact of placements on social work students, emotional resilience and understanding Ph.D. study as a dyslexic student through autoethnography. Her Doctoral study is focused on the arena of participation for CECYP and how Social Workers experience and perceive the voice of CECYP. Email: [email protected]