Referrals of children in need of protection to live with relatives abroad in EU countries
Lead Research Organisation:
Lancaster University
Department Name: Sociology
Abstract
This mixed-methods project examines challenges faced by family justice practitioners in England when
placing children at risk across European (EU) borders. In England, when children require out of home
care, local authorities must first consider placement with family. However, the search for and
assessment of relatives is far more challenging when children's kin live abroad, and there are
knowledge gaps regarding the added challenges of the UK's exit from the EU (BREXIT).
Due to global migration, public services deal with an increasingly diverse population of children in
need. Although migration can improve family life, it can also create hardships that render children at
risk (Ackers and Stalford 2004; Northcott and Jeffries 2012; Lamont and Fenton-Glynn 2016). To date,
there has been insufficient research on how practitioners navigate complex international statutory
frameworks to ensure best interest decisions for children whose family resources span European
borders. Little is known about this vulnerable population of children and how the challenges of cross border placements are complicated by BREXIT. Systematic research is required to inform best practice.
Research questions:
What can official datasets and the CFAB database tell us about the numbers, socio demographic profiles and outcomes for children placed by English local authorities abroad in
Europe between 2015 and 2021? What are limitations of the data and what recommendations
can be made to improve it?
How can the new descriptive knowledge this project gained about this child population inform
judicial decision-making?
What challenges do practitioners and the Judiciary in England describe when making
placement decisions about children with extended families in Europe? How are challenges
compounded/ameliorated given legislative changes due to BREXIT?
How can policy and practice be improved to ensure the best possible outcomes for children
placed internationally?
placing children at risk across European (EU) borders. In England, when children require out of home
care, local authorities must first consider placement with family. However, the search for and
assessment of relatives is far more challenging when children's kin live abroad, and there are
knowledge gaps regarding the added challenges of the UK's exit from the EU (BREXIT).
Due to global migration, public services deal with an increasingly diverse population of children in
need. Although migration can improve family life, it can also create hardships that render children at
risk (Ackers and Stalford 2004; Northcott and Jeffries 2012; Lamont and Fenton-Glynn 2016). To date,
there has been insufficient research on how practitioners navigate complex international statutory
frameworks to ensure best interest decisions for children whose family resources span European
borders. Little is known about this vulnerable population of children and how the challenges of cross border placements are complicated by BREXIT. Systematic research is required to inform best practice.
Research questions:
What can official datasets and the CFAB database tell us about the numbers, socio demographic profiles and outcomes for children placed by English local authorities abroad in
Europe between 2015 and 2021? What are limitations of the data and what recommendations
can be made to improve it?
How can the new descriptive knowledge this project gained about this child population inform
judicial decision-making?
What challenges do practitioners and the Judiciary in England describe when making
placement decisions about children with extended families in Europe? How are challenges
compounded/ameliorated given legislative changes due to BREXIT?
How can policy and practice be improved to ensure the best possible outcomes for children
placed internationally?
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Sara Bellamio (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES/P000665/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2027 | |||
| 2864714 | Studentship | ES/P000665/1 | 01/10/2023 | 30/09/2026 | Sara Bellamio |