Soziale Arbeit

The role Children‘s Rights and Child Protection play in the implementation process of new social work methods

Children‘s Rights and Child Protection in the Context of Family Group Conferences

Nina Hagenauer, MA

Children‘s Rights

Children‘s Rights Movement since the beginning of the 20th century

Establishment Convention on the Rights of the Child

Ratification Child Protection

Situation in Austria

Child Protection enforced through Youth Welfare Offices and Law on the protection of the youth (regulated by the federal states)

Call for change and improvement Social Work

New Social Work Methods Family Group Conferences

Family Group Conferences

“The aim of the family group conference is to support families

to find their own solutions to problems: the family members

are the decision-makers rather than the professionals; the

‘family’ is the primary planning group.”

(www.nspcc.org.uk)

Pilot Project – Research

Collected data:

Expert interviews

Proceedings

Annual reports

Research question:

Which role do Family Group Conferences play as Child Protection instruments and Children’s Rights enforcements?

Results

Help to visualize problems, deficits and solutions Less costly Protective mechanism Informational Tool Prevention of Violence Empowerment of Juveniles and strengthening of self

esteem Educational instruments

Conclusion

Family Group Conferences can have empowering effect Positive effect on development of dynamics of families at

risk Child Protection Instrument Children‘s Rights enforcement:

Prevention Protection Participation

Thank you for your interest and attention!