Cohesive neighborhoods, less spanking result in fewer child welfare visits

The child welfare system is more likely to intervene in households in “less neighborly” neighborhoods and in which parents spank their kids, a new study shows. Researchers at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University conducted analyses on nearly 2,300 families from 20 large U.S. cities who responded to surveys and interviews. Participating families had a child who was […]

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Research shows child welfare social workers lack consistency when helping at-risk children

Differing perceptions of risk among child welfare social workers is leading to inconsistent outcomes for children in need, a University of Otago-led study reveals. Lead author, Senior Lecturer in Social Work Dr. Emily Keddell, says children in similar circumstances can receive variable interventions or decisions from child welfare services because of social workers’ different perceptions of risk, safety and future […]

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