• Objectives of the Network
  • Next virtual Conference on 19th November 2021
  • Background and relevance of the planned network
  • Objectives
  • Contact

Objectives of the Network

The network aims at bundling empirical research on this significant topic and to initiate joint research projects. It also aims to foster the exchange of ideas with services, organisations and other actors that support and implement children's rights linking research and practice on a national as well as international level. The aim is to document and communicate good terms to secure children's rights for looked after children in various youth welfare settings and services.

The network is connected to the EURSARF Network and is open to members to interest parties, to members of FICE or other institutions (e.g. Institutes for Children's Rights and Human Rights, SOS-Villages,…) and persons.

Next virtual Conference on 19th November 2021

Because of Covid-19 we are planning a virtual meeting on 19 November 2021. This will consist of:

  • a short network meeting for the network (12.30h p.m. London / UTC)
     
  • followed by two lectures (1.15h p.m. UTC)
    “The significance of listening to children. The case of foster-care”
    Asgeir Falch-Eriksen (University of Bergen, Centre for Research on Discretion and Paternalism) in discussion with Karmen Toros (Tallinn University Estland)

    “Logistics Matter: A Child and Youth-Driven Approach to Participatory Moments”
    Kiaras Gharabaghi (Ryerson University Toronto) complemented by
     
  • break-out sessions for networking with researchers and professionals worldwide (2.15h p.m. UTC) on topics, e.g. participation of young people in residential living groups, participation of young people in foster families, voicing complaints – young people’s views on out of home care, participation and decision making, safeguarding children´s rights for looked after children and adolescence, etc.

If you're interested in joining the meeting, please contact claudia.equit@leuphana.de or claudia.equit@gmx.de

Background and relevance of the planned network

Young people’s participatory rights and protection have been a major global concern in the last 30 years. There has been wide-ranging discussion as well as extensive monitoring procedures regarding the implementation of children's rights.


Looked after children and adolescents in child welfare are particularly affected by the implementation of children's rights, especially by the right of participation [Art. 12 UN CRC]. They are part of much more decisions and decision-making forums than their peers, while at the same time experiencing a fundamental disregard of their rights. The significance of children´s rights for looked after children is obvious. The Convention on the Rights of the Child emphasizes within this context the importance of participation and the establishment of monitoring institutions (e.g., an Ombudsperson, commissioner or inspectorate etc.). However, since the global introduction of participation rights for adolescents, empirical studies have revealed barriers and obstacles that hamper the implementation of participation, especially in residential child and youth care. The scope of the participation rights of the UN-CRC is critically assessed, especially regarding the link between participation and protection. The child´s best interest is essential for participation rights and protection of looked after children. Yet, it has also been pointed out that the definition of the child´s best interest is determined by powerful discourses among adults, which exclude the perspective of young people and impedes an informed decision making. Although child welfare systems vary widely between nations regarding their theoretical concepts, politics, and institutions of care, it is remarkable that researchers determined similar barriers and problems when putting participation for looked after children into practice.

Objectives

Although internationally there are different structures and traditions as well as regional characteristics when it comes to residential child and youth care, some important common difficulties in the participation of young people in living groups and foster families can be identified. The planned network aims at bundling empirical research on residential living communities and foster care to initiate joint research projects. It also aims to promote the exchange of ideas with organizations and services that support and implement children's rights linking research and practice on a national as well as international level. The aim is to document and communicate good terms to secure children's rights for looked after children in various youth welfare services and organizations.

Contact

Prof. Dr. Claudia Equit

Leuphana University Lüneburg

Institute of Social Work and Social Pedagogy

Claudia.Equit@gmx.de

claudia.equit@leuphana.de

phone: +49 176 354 629 00