Affiliation:
1. School of Social Science, The University of Queensland , St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
Abstract
Abstract
Low-income mothers face disproportionately high risks of engaging with statutory child protection systems. Whilst this is often perceived as a result of poor or irresponsible parenting practices, an increasing body of scholarship foregrounds the role of structural issues—such as poverty and homelessness—that constrain mothers’ agency and impact their ability to care for their children. In this article, we examine Australia’s first permanent Supportive Housing for Families (SHF) programme, which offers low-income mothers practical resources to minimise the risk of statutory child protection intervention. Our research aims to understand low-income mothers’ willingness and ability to care for their children, and how mothers engaged with and made meaning of their experiences residing in SHF. Using a qualitative research design, we analyse interview data with programme mothers (n = 17), programme support workers (n = 10) and statutory child protection officers (n = 7). We find that the resources provided through the programme enabled mothers to care for their children in ways that aligned with their parenting beliefs and aspirations. We conclude that SHF programmes may be an effective means through which low-income mothers can overcome the structural barriers that keep them engaged with statutory child protection systems.
Funder
Micah Projects, Common Ground Queensland
Douglas Family Foundation and the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council’s Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course
Future Fellowship
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Subject
Social Sciences (miscellaneous),Health (social science)
Cited by
6 articles.
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