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Exploring Child Protection Professionals’ Perspectives on Ethnic Inequalities in the United Kingdom / HANNAH PRICE-JONES

Swansea University Author: HANNAH PRICE-JONES

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DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUThesis.71768

Abstract

Ethnic inequalities within the children's care system present a significant challenge that requires urgent attention and action. Previous studies have highlighted the underrepresentation of children from certain minority ethnic backgrounds, such as Asian, within the care system. However, the re...

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Published: Swansea 2026
Institution: Swansea University
Degree level: Doctoral
Degree name: Ph.D
Supervisor: Lowthian, E., and Tur Porres, G.
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa71768
first_indexed 2026-04-20T12:50:13Z
last_indexed 2026-04-21T05:01:58Z
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recordtype RisThesis
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spelling 2026-04-20T13:54:17.3290617 v2 71768 2026-04-20 Exploring Child Protection Professionals’ Perspectives on Ethnic Inequalities in the United Kingdom cecc64bffeaa7e8e4ad1de7087fd9e85 HANNAH PRICE-JONES HANNAH PRICE-JONES true false 2026-04-20 Ethnic inequalities within the children's care system present a significant challenge that requires urgent attention and action. Previous studies have highlighted the underrepresentation of children from certain minority ethnic backgrounds, such as Asian, within the care system. However, the research has also identified an overrepresentation of other ethnic groups, including those of Black ethnicity and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. This disproportionate representation often results from systemic biases, cultural misunderstandings, and socioeconomic disparities. The current study uses a sequential mixed-methods design to investigate the factors contributing to these inequalities and offers recommendations for addressing the over and underrepresentation of certain ethnic groups. The study was comprised of three phases; an online questionnaire with 244 child protection professionals, qualitative interviews with eight practitioners, and document analysis of eight organisational training materials. Participants were recruited from across the four UK nations.Key findings reveal limitations in the knowledge and understanding among child protectionprofessionals regarding effective engagement with families from diverse ethnic backgrounds,compounded by language barriers, insufficient training, and high caseloads that hinder theestablishment of positive working relationships. Socioeconomic challenges, such as inadequate community services, further exacerbate these disparities. Additionally, participants emphasised the need for increased funding to support family services, access to interpreters, and enhanced training opportunities for professionals. The study highlights the necessity of adopting culturally sensitive practices, diversifying the care system workforce, and advocating for policy reforms that prioritise equity and inclusion. By addressing these issues, professionals can reduce ethnic disparities in child protection interventions and work towards more equitable opportunities for children and families from diverse ethnic backgrounds. E-Thesis Swansea Ethnic Inequalities, Children’s Social Care, Mixed-Methods, Professionals Perspectives 17 4 2026 2026-04-17 10.23889/SUThesis.71768 COLLEGE NANME COLLEGE CODE Swansea University Lowthian, E., and Tur Porres, G. Doctoral Ph.D 2026-04-20T13:54:17.3290617 2026-04-20T13:34:26.4418954 Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences School of Social Sciences - Education and Childhood Studies HANNAH PRICE-JONES 1 71768__36534__4b817fb473a24a3c82120b6ca8701786.pdf 2026_Price-Jones_H.final.71768.pdf 2026-04-20T13:49:34.9303722 Output 3883263 application/pdf E-Thesis – open access true Copyright: Hannah Eleri Price-Jones, 2026 true eng
title Exploring Child Protection Professionals’ Perspectives on Ethnic Inequalities in the United Kingdom
spellingShingle Exploring Child Protection Professionals’ Perspectives on Ethnic Inequalities in the United Kingdom
HANNAH PRICE-JONES
title_short Exploring Child Protection Professionals’ Perspectives on Ethnic Inequalities in the United Kingdom
title_full Exploring Child Protection Professionals’ Perspectives on Ethnic Inequalities in the United Kingdom
title_fullStr Exploring Child Protection Professionals’ Perspectives on Ethnic Inequalities in the United Kingdom
title_full_unstemmed Exploring Child Protection Professionals’ Perspectives on Ethnic Inequalities in the United Kingdom
title_sort Exploring Child Protection Professionals’ Perspectives on Ethnic Inequalities in the United Kingdom
author_id_str_mv cecc64bffeaa7e8e4ad1de7087fd9e85
author_id_fullname_str_mv cecc64bffeaa7e8e4ad1de7087fd9e85_***_HANNAH PRICE-JONES
author HANNAH PRICE-JONES
author2 HANNAH PRICE-JONES
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publishDate 2026
institution Swansea University
doi_str_mv 10.23889/SUThesis.71768
college_str Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
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hierarchy_top_id facultyofhumanitiesandsocialsciences
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofhumanitiesandsocialsciences
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
department_str School of Social Sciences - Education and Childhood Studies{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences{{{_:::_}}}School of Social Sciences - Education and Childhood Studies
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description Ethnic inequalities within the children's care system present a significant challenge that requires urgent attention and action. Previous studies have highlighted the underrepresentation of children from certain minority ethnic backgrounds, such as Asian, within the care system. However, the research has also identified an overrepresentation of other ethnic groups, including those of Black ethnicity and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. This disproportionate representation often results from systemic biases, cultural misunderstandings, and socioeconomic disparities. The current study uses a sequential mixed-methods design to investigate the factors contributing to these inequalities and offers recommendations for addressing the over and underrepresentation of certain ethnic groups. The study was comprised of three phases; an online questionnaire with 244 child protection professionals, qualitative interviews with eight practitioners, and document analysis of eight organisational training materials. Participants were recruited from across the four UK nations.Key findings reveal limitations in the knowledge and understanding among child protectionprofessionals regarding effective engagement with families from diverse ethnic backgrounds,compounded by language barriers, insufficient training, and high caseloads that hinder theestablishment of positive working relationships. Socioeconomic challenges, such as inadequate community services, further exacerbate these disparities. Additionally, participants emphasised the need for increased funding to support family services, access to interpreters, and enhanced training opportunities for professionals. The study highlights the necessity of adopting culturally sensitive practices, diversifying the care system workforce, and advocating for policy reforms that prioritise equity and inclusion. By addressing these issues, professionals can reduce ethnic disparities in child protection interventions and work towards more equitable opportunities for children and families from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
published_date 2026-04-17T06:01:58Z
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