Child participation in the French child protection system: A dynamic configuration
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5027/psicoperspectivas-Vol25-Issue2-fulltext-3728Keywords:
child participation, child protection, decision-making, FranceAbstract
Through a dynamic and contextual approach, grounded in an ecological framework that conceptualizes participation as a relational, organizational, and temporal process, this study examines the participation of children and adolescents in the French child protection system. Based on longitudinal qualitative research combining ethnographic observations, semi structured interviews with children and adolescents, family members, and professionals, and the analysis of institutional documents, this study analyzed the evolution of participation experiences throughout child protection interventions and identified the relational, organizational, and temporal conditions that facilitate or limit them. We describe two contrasting cases (Nina and Sami) to illustrate opposing dynamics: ranging from a lack of voice to meaningful participation, and from the expression of children’s perspectives to their institutional appropriation. Results reveal three key dynamics: fragmentation of decision-making processes, information asymmetry between children and adolescents and professionals, and the complex mediation of children’s and adolescents’ perspectives through professional documents and multiprofessional settings. These findings highlight the need to incorporate participation into the organization of services, information flows, and training for child protection professionals.
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