Adults’ Views

Abstract

This chapter is based on the views expressed by adults in the course of the two research studies. In the initial study two social workers were interviewed by telephone. Both were responsible for children who were in the study, including children who were present at their meetings and others who were not. They were asked about their view of the most important elements in making decisions, about how much say they thought children should have, and about what had happened in a particular case and why. It was obvious that both workers had thought carefully about how to involve children in decisions, and that they favoured including children in meetings wherever this would be helpful or positive for them. It was also clear that there were often particular reasons for not inviting children. These might have to do with the child’s own capacities; for instance, a child with a learning disability might not be included when his age would otherwise indi­cate it. Alternatively it might reflect the circumstances of the case; for instance, there might be factors in a decision which could not be dis­cussed openly with the child because of a need to protect their feelings or those of adults.