Abstract
The 'Troubled Families' policy and intervention agenda is based on a deficit approach that tends to ignore the role of structural disadvantage in the lives of the families it targets. In an effort to support this rhetoric, both quantitative and qualitative data have been used, and misused, to create a representation of these families, which emphasizes risk and individual blame and minimizes societal factors. This current paper presents findings from an in-depth qualitative study using a biographical narrative approach to explore parents' experiences of multiple adversities at different times over the life-course. Key themes relating to the pattern and nature of adversities experienced by participants provide a more nuanced understanding of the lives of families experiencing multiple and complex problems, highlighting how multiple interpretations are often possible within the context of professional intervention. The findings support the increasing call to move away from procedurally driven, risk averse child protection practice towards more relationally based practice, which addresses not only the needs of all family members but recognizes parents as individuals in their own right.
Original language | English |
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Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Child and Family Social Work |
Early online date | 15 Apr 2015 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Early online date - 15 Apr 2015 |
Keywords
- Complex needs
- Family policy
- Multiple adversities
- Service user perspectives
- Troubled families
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Sociology and Political Science
- Health(social science)
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Profiles
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Lisa Bunting
- School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work - Senior Lecturer
- Life Course Research
Person: Academic