A social justice perspective on the delivery of family support
Date
2024-03-01Author
Devaney, Carmel
Mac Donald, Mandi
Holzer, Julia
Metadata
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Recommended Citation
Devaney, Carmel, Mac Donald, Mandi, & Holzer, Julia. (2024). A social justice perspective on the delivery of family support. Children and Youth Services Review, 159, 107494. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.107494
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Abstract
Family support as an approach to working with children, youth, parents, and families is widely practiced across
Europe albeit with a range of diverse meanings and interpretations. This paper responds to this ambiguity and
provides a conceptual understanding of the delivery of family support in Europe. In doing so it applies a social
justice approach critically examining the extent to which Family Support reflects the right of families, children,
youth, and parents to be supported. It identifies and critically examines similarities and differences in the
meaning and application of family support as a key concept in the European context. It is based on a comprehensive review of literature, mapping multi-disciplinary approaches to the provision of support, based on academic material from 2015 to 2020 and adopting a broad and inclusive definition of family. The paper considers
the complexities in developing a universally accepted understanding of family support that: has value for
practitioners and managers; is selected as a focus by policy makers; is open to evaluation and research; is
compatible with academic research; and most importantly provides responsive and effective support to children,
youth, parents and families.