Rights, responsibilities and pragmatic practice: Family participation in case reviews

This article considers the experiences of families and professionals in case reviews where a child has died/suffered serious injury as a result or abuse or neglect. There is an expectation in the four UK nations that families will be included in such case reviews. The article draws on a study of policies and practices, and family accounts of involvement. An overview of UK policies and practices is described, and the broader questions that emerge for participatory practices identified. Family experiences in this complex area of practice are considered, and recommendations made for practice. The uneven picture of family involvement is argued to reflect uncertainty about the purpose, value and role of family involvement. Concerns are raised about the unresolved dilemmas arising from family involvement and the potential for practice to be unhelpful if not carefully examined