학술논문

The “PERSPECS” principles: early action and migrant children with no recourse to public funds
Document Type
JOURNAL
Author
Source
Journal of Children's Services, 2023, Vol. 18, Issue 2, pp. 147-163.
Subject
e-conceptual-paper
Conceptual paper
cat-HSC
Health & social care
Vulnerable groups
Children's services
No recourse to public funds
Early action
Statutory neglect
Migrant families
Children
Human rights
Language
English
ISSN
1746-6660
Abstract
Purpose This paper aims to make the case for early action approaches with migrant families, introducing a set of principles for practice, mapped against the Professional Capabilities Framework for social work and the Social Work England professional standards. Design/methodology/approach The paper first explores the context of social work with migrant families, outlining the challenges and gaps in our conceptual understanding of this work. The paper then introduces a conceptual model of work with migrant families which draws on the literature from social work and allied professions, and informed by social work values and ethics. Findings Current social work practice with migrant children has been criticised as defensive, procedural and lacking a coherent conceptual basis, particularly for those who are subject to the no recourse to public funds (NRPF) rule. This field of social work practice would benefit from an evidence-informed model of practice, anchored in human rights approaches and focused on early action. Eight principles, drawn from existing good practice in other social work and social care contexts, are outlined as the basis for a new model of practice in social work with migrant families. Originality/value The NRPF rule is a provision in the immigration rules that prevents people who are subject to immigration control from claiming most social security benefits in the UK. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in research about the NRPF rule and its negative impact on children. However, there is currently no evaluated model of social work practice for children and families with NRPF.