Policy Press

Sense and Sensibility in Social Work with Families and Children

European Perspectives on Developments in Child Protection and Welfare

Edited by Sara Serbati, Edgar Marthinsen and Brid Featherstone

Published

May 1, 2025

Page count

256 pages

Browse the series

Research in Social Work

ISBN

978-1447374473

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

May 1, 2025

Page count

256 pages

Browse the series

Research in Social Work

ISBN

978-1447374497

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press
Sense and Sensibility in Social Work with Families and Children

Sara Serbati is Senior Research Fellow in Social Pedagogy at the Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Science, University of Padova.

Edgar Marthinsen is Professor in Social Work in the Department of Social Work, Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Brid Featherstone is Professor of Social Work in the Department of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Huddersfield.

Introduction – Edgar Marthinsen

Part 1: ‘Sense and sensibility’ as epistemology for Social Work

1. A Social Model: Ideas, Theory and Experiences – Brid Featherstone, Anna Gupta and Kate Morris

2. Developing a Framework for Supportive Protection and Protective Support – Caroline McGregor with Carmel Devaney

3. The Systemic Practice Model: Towards a Collaborative Implementation Paradigm in Child Protection? – Laura Yliruka & Kaarina Mönkkönen and Päivi Petrelius

4. Rethinking the Meaning of Institutionalization in Child Protection – Francesca Maci and Paola Milani

Part 2: ‘Sense and sensibility as practice of social work

5. The Virtuous Circle of Using Supportive Measures to Reduce Red Tape and Meet Families’ Needs – David Thorpe and Edgar Marthinsen

6. Children, Families and Practitioners as Co-Researchers Through Documentation: Between Day-to-Day Life, Dialogue and Relationship – Sara Serbati

7. Sharing Sense and Methods in a Sensible Way by Training the Trainers – Marco Ius

Part 3: Practice research in the spirit of ‘Sense and sensibility’

8. Participatory Processes of Care Leavers in the Child Protection System in Italy: From Action-Research to Advocacy for a Promotion of More Inclusive Policies - Federico Zullo, Martina Sabetta, Samanta Ferri and Diletta Mauri

9. A Relational Model with the Family and Children’s Needs at the Centre – Lena A. Ulfseth, Willy Lichtwarck, Anne Moe and Edgar Marthinsen

10. A Lifelong Relationship: How Good Intentions Strengthen Stigma of Marginalized Families in the Child Welfare System – Malin Fævelen and Bente Heggem Kojan

11. Group Work with Children and Vulnerable Families – Nuria Fuentes-Peláez, Sara Pérez, Judit Rabassa, Belén Parra, Gemma Crous and Paulo Padilla

Conclusions – Sara Serbati, Edgar Marthinsen and Brid Featherstone