Conversations with children who are suspected victims of abuse or in need of support are crucial for social workers to gather information and assess their well-being. These interactions also provide an important opportunity for children to engage with matters that concern them. However, such conversations can be sensitive and complex. Some children may require additional support, others may be resistant, and some may express themselves freely. Social workers must be able to navigate these diverse responses and adapt their approach to each child’s unique situation.
While general guidelines exist for conducting interviews with children, they are based on the assumption that certain questioning techniques are more effective than others. Understanding how these methods function in practice and identifying the communicative patterns that emerge in child interviews is essential for deepening our knowledge of what children’s participation looks like in these interactions.
This project examines the tension between two potentially conflicting aspects of child protection interviews: gathering reliable information and ensuring the child’s participation. It explores how social workers balance these demands and how children’s voices can be supported in these critical conversations.
Project title
Child protection interviews in cases of suspected child abuse. Investigation, support, and children’s participation in interviews with social workers.
