Comparative Child Protection Practice in England and Germany

Résumé ou Introduction

Social work practice in relation to child protection has gone through changes in both England and Germany due to global and local processes. International social work policy and professional standards driven by the juxtaposition of neo-liberalism and social justice has become a cornerstone of national and local professional practice contexts. Practice relating to safeguarding children has developed globally through the process of political globalisation, "connecting large scale societies together in a whole variety of ways, from international political agreements electronic communication technologies and more fluid migration patterns.” (Giddens, 2009:110) Policy development and implementation by Supra-National organisations such as the United Nations are often created as universal ‘blanket policies’, with the aim of promoting equality and social justice for all. For example child protection policy in both countries has been influenced by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (1989). However” local policy and practice will nevertheless be influenced by national contexts and ‘mediated by country specific institutional arrangements’ – a process describe(d) as ‘glocalization’.” (Lyons et al 2006:34) Further to this national policy development is often not constrained to its boarders and can influence policy development internationally. “Increasingly, national policies are ‘rarely purely domestic in impact’ but have international implications, either because they impact directly or because of ‘social policy emulation’.” (Healy, 2001 cited in Lyons et al,2006:28) Global communication and the availability of data and research has become instantaneous. International and professional leaders and academics are able to compare and contrast theoretical perspectives, policies and practices and adapt them to fit local contexts.