Adjusting the lens : parents create change in Ontario's child protection system

Gallagher, Bernadette (2008) Adjusting the lens : parents create change in Ontario's child protection system. Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (14MB)

Abstract

This study explored the potential for parents to create social change in Ontario's current system of child protection. Concepts of social justice and participatory action research (PAR) were used to focus the inquiry and provided boundaries for data collection, analysis and dissemination (Morse, 1998). Participants in the study included (1) parents, referred to as an adult caregiver inclusive of extended family raising children; who have successfully completed a supervision court order and (2) professionals associated with child protection. The following two research questions were explored: what advice do court ordered parents give on how to create a less bureaucratic system of child protection in Ontario? Secondly, how can professionals be engaged to work with parents to bring about the recommended changes? A research facilitation team of parents as co-researchers participated in the study's design and provided on-going consultation during data collection and analysis. Data emerged from three focus groups; a parent group, a professional group and one involving both parents and professionals. Of significance in the study is the opportunity for eight parents and thirteen professionals to voice their collective views on changes they would make to the child protection system. -- The findings suggest the study was timely in light of the newly amended Child and Family Services Act, 2006 in Ontario. Parents and professionals alike came forward with suggestions for change that now fall within the realm of the new Act. These suggestions are identified and discussed in this study.

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