Integrität, Autonomie und Partizipation im Kindesschutz: Wie erleben Kinder und Eltern das Handeln von Kindes- und Erwachsenenschutzbehörden?

Abstract

Through historical and legal analysis as well as an empirical study in the French and German speaking regions of Switzerland, this project studies how children and parents understand, experience and respond to what happens to them during child protection proceedings. This project aims to produce knowledge about key features of fair child protection proceedings. Historical analysis provides a record of existing historiographic knowledge about children’s and parents’ experiences of the actions and decisions of child protection authorities (pre-1981 and 1981–2012). Legal analysis studies the long-term development of parents’ and children’s rights in child protection proceedings (1907 – to date) and innovative developments in other countries. The empirical study in French- and German-speaking regions asks how parents and children currently perceive the actions and interventions of Swiss Child and Adult Protection Authorities (CAPAs). A final interdisciplinary phase will develop a draft legislation for a new child protection procedure and accompanying guidelines. The results will be of significance for scientific debate and will raise the awareness of child protection professionals regarding the conditions and settings that encourage and support genuine participation by children and parents. The project will furthermore provide information on innovative, deliberative models designed to facilitate participation in child protection proceedings, and thus help realise the full potential of the interdisciplinary composition of CAPAs in Switzerland.