Participation, partnership, and sharing: Young women's suggestions regarding social work practices with adolescent girls in the context of youth welfare and care

Abstract

Background: Despite the widely recognized importance of involving children and youth in shaping practices that impact their lives, translating their participation from principle into effective practice remains challenging. Objective: This article explores the significance of professional practices that promote participation, partnership, and sharing in addressing the challenges of neglect, violence, and harm among adolescent girls. The study aimed to conceptualize the practices that can assist social workers in supporting adolescent girls. Methods: This article presents the outcomes of a participatory action research study with young women who had experienced the welfare system as adolescents concerning social work practices with girls and young women. Participants and setting: In-depth interviews were conducted with 25 Israeli women aged 18 to 29 who grappled with hardship, distress, poverty, and social exclusion and received various forms of support from social workers during their adolescent years. Many endured physical, emotional, or sexual violence at home or in out-of-home placements and were subjected to bullying in their school environments. Results: The analysis revealed that the ability of a girl or young woman to be active in the care process and exercise her right to participate in decision making concerning her life depends on the social worker's proactivity, which is expressed in three ways: participation, partnership, and sharing in the care process. Conclusions: The implications of these findings in the context of youth care show the potential of these practices to foster the development of adolescent girls as active citizens.