Parents’ and child welfare workers’ understandings of consent to emergency placements

Emergency placements of children are often made in haste and experienced as dramatic. This article is based on interviews with 9 parents who have consented to emergency their caseworkers. We explore parents’ reasons for giving consent placement the child welfare workers’ understanding these consents. leads a discussion what constitutes valid from cases. Relational autonomy applied perspective understand context influencing factors parental consent. The results, derived by thematic analysis, show three main themes regarding consent: (1) wanted move out, (2) couldn’t manage situation, (3) felt service (CWS) gave them no choice. Parents experience high degree pressure consent, either or CWS. Asymmetrical power dynamics between CWS were highly present relevant especially when communicated that alternative coercive placement. Furthermore, it unclear entails. evident through CWS’s regulation child-parent contact. In discussion, we emphasize awareness part CW workers regards how contextual relational influence parent’s choice consent; valid; far extends, potential weakening legal security voluntary conducted.