Shaping child welfare policy via performance measurement.
Performance measurement is generally depicted as a neutral, technical exercise providing objective data for decision-making. But it also has a normative role in framing policy problems and solutions. This article explores the role of indicators in shaping child welfare, comparing stated policy with performance indicator regimes in England. It shows how indicators construct child welfare narrowly as investigation and placement, contradicting the more comprehensive family support approaches of policy and legislation.
Tilbury
Clare
C
School of Human Services, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia. c.tilbury@griffith.edu.au
D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D004739:England; D005190:Family; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D012944:Social Support