Understanding Family Support: Policy, Practice and Theory, John Canavan, John Pinkerton and Pat Dolan

Abstract

Much of the theoretical and empirical evidence which underpins the concept of family support emanates from the deficiencies found in investigation and surveillance approaches to child and family welfare (Gentles-Gibbs, 2016; Tilbury, 2016). Within the body of this literature, it is frequently suggested that increasing attention towards preventative and supportive approaches will ensure that families are able to receive specifically designed services. For Fong (2017), early help can promote effective partnership working through voluntary rather than adversarial or other forms of compulsory involvement. However, whilst theory and empirical knowledge is able to critically consider traditional services provided within the various child protection systems throughout the world, the design and delivery of family support paradigms, policies and practices have not been studied in equal depth.