Lessons Learned: Parental Experience of Empathy and Power

Abstract

<p>The aim of this study was to examine the experiences of parents receiving child protection intervention. Taking a service user approach to the research, the purpose of the study was to consider the perspectives of service users to learn what could be included in child protection training programs to better prepare new child protection workers for their work with children and families. As a secondary analysis of a qualitative study five interview transcripts were included in the analysis of the research.</p> <p>Findings of this study affirm previous research that highlight the significance of a worker communicating empathy to a parent receiving child protection intervention. Furthermore, the link between empathy and power and the impact of such on the relationship between a worker and client is a central theme of analysis. Finally, the value of service user theory as an approach to conducting research is validated as a finding of the study.</p> <p>Implications of this study are considered for child protection workers, the development of child protection training curriculum and its facilitation, child protection agencies, and researchers.</p>