A joint initiative between the University of Bergen
and CMI – Chr. Michelsen Institute
How is the Irish child protection and welfare system monitored?
Photo: Colourbox Child protection and welfare systems are essential parts of a nation state’s approach to protecting and promoting the welfare of children.
Keane (2022) argues that we are in a new phase of democracy called ‘monitory democracy’. In this phase, democratic systems develop power scrutinising mechanisms and institutions that focus on public accountability and governance. This ‘monitoring’ work is done by government institutions and civil society actors. As child protection and welfare systems are entrusted with significant power by governments, they are a significant focus of monitoring.
In this talk, Kenneth Burns will examine the strategies and mechanisms adopted by Ireland to monitor the operation, quality and development of its child protection and welfare system. He will focus his analysis on the Irish system of governance, oversight and monitoring of state-provided child protection and welfare services.
The seminar is part of the RDV-webinar series, a collaboration between the Centre for Research on Discretion and Paternalism and the Centre on Law and Social Transformation at the University of Bergen. The RDV-webinar series is an interdisciplinary webinar where national and international researchers are invited to talk about their pioneering research on topics regarding law, democracy, and welfare.
Kenneth Burns is a senior lecturer, Deputy Director of the Master of Social Work course and Director of Practice (social work) at University College Cork. He has worked as a social worker and social work team leader in child protection and welfare.
Read more
Kenneth Burns is a senior lecturer, Deputy Director of the Master of Social Work course and Director of Practice (social work) at University College Cork. He has worked as a social worker and social work team leader in child protection and welfare.
His main research and teaching interests are in child protection policy and practice, staff retention, social media abuse in social work, child care proceedings in the District Court / voluntary care / informal kinship care, and community-based participatory research.
Bergen Global is a joint initiative between the University of Bergen and Chr. Michelsen Institute that addresses global challenges.
