ABSTRACT
Boushel’s ‘Protective Environment’ model provides a framework which family centres can use in providing integrated child protection practice and family support which empowers and promotes change for families and children. The Children’s Society is committed to social justice for children and young people. The Framework of Assessment promotes an ecological approach which moves away from the previous ‘checklist’ approach of the ‘Orange Book’, where assessment constituted a one-off snapshot or event. Family centres are well placed to provide an integrated, comprehensive and effective approach to support and protection issues. A statutory risk assessment context provided an empowering and therapeutic ‘protective environment’. The protective environment concept keeps the child as the focus yet inherently links the child’s wellbeing and safety to a concept of the empowerment of women. Family Centres can integrate support and protection work in an empowering and anti-oppressive way.
