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ABSTRACT
In this paper, we utilize both English and German language scholarly literature to describe the use of four core concepts in child protection. Using the scholarly literature, we address the research questions: (1) How are these four concepts used in regard to child protection services? (2) How do these four concepts address and reflect the social circumstances of families? Expansion to just one other language adds important insight to our understanding and might serve to guide further scholarship expansion to other languages. Inclusion of Kindeswohlgefährdung (Endangerment of the best interest of the child) as a specific concept in the German language environment facilitates this bi-lingual approach.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1 The concept is based in the German speaking countries Germany, Switzerland and Austria. “Kindeswohl” today is very close to the idea of the concept of “the best interests of the child”, so it is often translated like this, but it is older than the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child from 1989. “Kindeswohlgefährdung” (Endangerment of the best interest of the child (transl. FW)) is not a defined legal term, more see p. 6.
2 References in German are marked as (GE) in the in-text citation.
3 Sozialpädagogik (in English also Social Education) is the older term for the study in social work at university level. Currently the term Soziale Arbeit (Social Work) is common for the integration of both branches.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Franziska Widmer
Franziska Widmer is Senior Lecturer at the Zurich University of Applied Science in the Department of Social Work. Her field is Early Childhood Education in day care and family and child protection.
Mary Elizabeth Collins
Mary Elizabeth Collins is Professor of Social Welfare at Boston University School of Social Work. She conducts research on care leavers, disconnected youth, and policy supports to improve the transition to adulthood.