Soziale Arbeit The role Children‘s Rights and Child Protection play in the implementation process of new social work methods Children‘s Rights and Child Protection in the Context of Family Group Conferences Nina Hagenauer, MA

Children‘s Rights  Children‘s Rights Movement since the beginning of the 20th century  Establishment Convention on the Rights of the Child  Ratification  Child Protection

Situation in Austria  Child Protection enforced through Youth Welfare Offices and Law on the protection of the youth (regulated by the federal states)  Call for change and improvement  Social Work  New Social Work Methods  Family Group Conferences

Family Group Conferences “The aim of the family group conference is to support families to find their own solutions to problems: the family members are the decision-makers rather than the professionals; the ‘family’ is the primary planning group.” (

Pilot Project – Research  Collected data: Expert interviews Proceedings Annual reports  Research question: Which role do Family Group Conferences play as Child Protection instruments and Children’s Rights enforcements?

Results  Help to visualize problems, deficits and solutions  Less costly  Protective mechanism  Informational Tool  Prevention of Violence  Empowerment of Juveniles and strengthening of self esteem  Educational instruments

Conclusion  Family Group Conferences can have empowering effect  Positive effect on development of dynamics of families at risk  Child Protection Instrument  Children‘s Rights enforcement:  Prevention  Protection  Participation

Thank you for your interest and attention!