A1 Journal article (refereed)
Professionals’ views on children’s service user involvement (2021)
Kiili, J., Itäpuisto, M., Moilanen, J., Svenlin, A.-R., & Malinen, K. E. (2021). Professionals’ views on children’s service user involvement. Journal of Childrens Services, 16(2), 145-158. https://doi.org/10.1108/jcs-10-2020-0069
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Kiili, Johanna; Itäpuisto, Maritta; Moilanen, Johanna; Svenlin, Anu-Riina; Malinen, Kaisa Eveliina
Journal or series: Journal of Childrens Services
ISSN: 1746-6660
eISSN: 2042-8677
Publication year: 2021
Publication date: 28/05/2021
Volume: 16
Issue number: 2
Pages range: 145-158
Publisher: Emerald
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/jcs-10-2020-0069
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/76016
Abstract
Children are gradually attaining recognition as service users and their involvement in service development has been advanced in recent years. This study draws on empirical research in social and health-care services designed for children and families. The purpose of this paper is to analyse how professionals understand children’s involvement as experts by experience. The focus is on professionals’ views and intergenerational relations.
Design/methodology/approach
The research data comprise 25 individual and 10 group interviews with managers and professionals working in social and health-care services in one Finnish province. The data were analysed using qualitative thematic analysis.
Findings
The professionals recognised the value of children’s service user involvement. However, they concentrated more on the challenges than the possibilities it presents. Health-care professionals emphasised parental needs and children’s vulnerability. In turn, the professionals from social services and child welfare non-governmental organisations perceived children as partners, although with reservations, as they discussed ethical issues widely and foregrounded the responsibilities of adults in protecting children. In general, the professionals in both domains saw themselves as having ethical responsibility to support children’s service user involvement while at the same time setting limits to it.
Originality/value
This study confirmed the importance of taking intergenerational relations into account when developing children’s service user involvement. The results indicate that professionals also need to reflect on the ethical challenges with children themselves as, largely owing to the generational position of children as minors, they rarely perceive them as partners in ethical reflection.
Keywords: social services; health services; children (age groups); child's status; participation; collective action; transgenerationality; ethicality; experts by experience
Free keywords: intergenerational relations; service user involvement; collective participation; ethical reflection; expert by experience; children’s participation
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2021
JUFO rating: 1
