Strengths and Affirmations: Practitioners Views of Disability and Child Protection Through an Affirmative Lens

Abstract

This article presents an exposition of an affirmative model of disability for child protection in Ireland. Seated at the intersection of disability and child protection are unique and substantial risks. In this paper, a reading of these risks is presented through an affirmative non-tragedy lens. This is substantiated by the opinions and views of a small sample of social workers practicing in the Republic of Ireland, who participated in qualitative research interviews. The intention is to demonstrate the utility of the affirmative model of disability to extend and progress already well-established aids to practice wisdom such as the seminal social model of disability and children’s rights perspectives. The paper concludes by emphasizing the centrality of balance, whereby child protection and welfare workers must thread the delicate line between acknowledging strengths and resources, whilst not underappreciating risks and harm. Here critical insights are presented on what works well, and not so well, in cases of disability and child protection.