Participation in child protection: empowering children in placement processes

This paper examines out-of-home placements from the perspective of children who have been exposed to domestic violence and have experienced child protection system interventions. Drawing on focus group discussions with children placed in residential care, family foster care and children crisis shelters, the paper analyses the ways in which the inclusion of children's opinions in child protection decision-making is facilitated or limited. The analysis shows that the children valued being consulted and welcomed any opportunities to work together with child protective service professionals in defining their placements. Based on the findings of this study, the experiences of the children in this study demonstrate that involving children in decision-making about their placements is generally to be encouraged.