|
|||||
|
|
Doing Harm While Doing Good: The Child Protection Paradox |
|
| Authors: | Frank Ainsworth Patricia Hansen |
| Affiliation: | 1. School of Social Work and Community Welfare , James Cook University , Queensland , Australia frankainsworth@hotmail.com;3. Solicitor, Rogers and Hansen , Merrylands , New South Wales;4. Australian Catholic University , New South Wales , Australia |
| Abstract: | Every Australian citizen expects state and territory governments to protect children from child abuse and neglect. Protecting children from harm is seen as good. This however is not a simple matter. The ultimate act in protecting children is to remove them from parental care. This causes trauma for the child and pain and distress for parents no matter how inadequately they may have been caring for their children. In that respect removing a child from parental care does harm to parents and children. This article explores the paradox of doing harm while doing good. The article has an Australian focus but the authors think that this issue affects child protection services in many countries. |
| Keywords: | doing good doing harm model of child protection practice parenting practices |