Child care career patterns : an exploration of the experiences of black and white children
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Abstract
The focus of this thesis is on the care career patterns
of black children. Empirical findings of the research
are analysed in the light of existing literature.
Particular attention is directed towards the decision-making
role of field social workers. The study examined
the perceptions of the principal individuals associated
with the care process (namely field social workers,
natural parents and children).
A cohort group of 564 children were found to be in
the care of Wenford Social Services Department (294
black and 270 white) . The care careers of these
children were explored. A follow-up study conducted six
months after the initial inquiry was part of this
process. Also, a sub-group of 80 children (who had been
admitted into care within the previous six months) were
examined in depth. Here, interviews with the principal
individuals were conducted to gain their perception of
the situation. Both the cohort and the sub-group
included children of all ages and all legal routes of
entry. In the sub-group, restrictive criterion liable
to bias results was applied in that only children who
had been admitted into care in the previous six months
were selected
The study attempted to analyse the similarities
and differences in the treatment of black and white
children in the public care system. Results shed new
light on the situation of black children and suggest
that due to individual and institutional racism within
the personal social services, black families and
children receive a poor service