BIAPT Poster
This page reflects a poster produced for the 2025 BIAPT Professional Doctorate Summer School summarising a Literature Review and outline of Research Questions. For more, click through to corresponding sections of the assignment on which the poster is based. Contact me here.
- The state, a corporate body, has long had parental responsibility for children in care
- This has developed into ‘seven principles’ to be followed by LA officers and employees
- No mention of foster carers
- Children seen as ‘service users’
- Where is development of character, or love?
The Seven Corporate Parenting Principles
Children and Social Work Act 2017, section 1(1):
A local authority in England must, in carrying out functions in relation to the children and young people [in its care], have regard to the need—
(a) to act in the best interests, and promote the physical and mental health and well-being, of those children and young people;
(b) to encourage those children and young people to express their views, wishes and feelings;
(c) to take into account the views, wishes and feelings of those children and young people;
(d) to help those children and young people gain access to, and make the best use of, services provided by the local authority and its relevant partners;
(e) to promote high aspirations, and seek to secure the best outcomes, for those children and young people;
(f) for those children and young people to be safe, and for stability in their home lives, relationships and education or work;
(g) to prepare those children and young people for adulthood and independent living.
- What faith-based convictions might Christians bring to their fostering of children?
- “Ideally, a child grows… from love of self to the love of others [and] a more mature self-regard” (Miller-McLemore)
- The moral and ethical environment in which a child lives and grows influences them – Deuteronomy 6.5-7
- Extending beyond Corporate Parenting, nurturing children to exercise their agency in loving ways.
- Many founders of social work were motivated by Christian faith
- Social work now has a very different worldview
- Religion & worldview can be difficult to discuss as so tied up with identity
- Some Christian carers fear misunderstanding and so hide certain beliefs or are cautious with language
- “How will you keep your faith separate from a child in your care?”
- What can be said theologically about Corporate Parenting?
- How can/do Christian Foster Carers bring faith convictions to their role, while acting on behalf of the Corporate Parent?
- Can theological reflection on Corporate and Christian parenting improve understanding between social workers and carers?