Deconstructing Discourses in Assessments of Child Neglect

Abstract This article presents the findings of a qualitative study exploring how child neglect is ‘performed’ in social work practice. Informed by Foucauldian and feminist theoretical positions, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten local authority workers, eight Children’s Centre professionals England parents who had received professional intervention due to concerns about neglect. In addition, case files analysed where was substantive concern. explores discourses that produced workers’ assessments neo-liberal context which cuts are being made childcare services, preoccupied identification management neglectful families risk. Professional debates surrounding contested thresholds into services categorisation explored. Judgements ‘good enough’ mothering as well bureaucratic managerial constraints holistic, analytical quality identified. The also performance children’s assessed identities through children become objects assessment rather than active subjects. concludes recommendations for practice future research.