Democratization of Child Protection Bureaucracy: Liberal and Restorative Notions

This Working Paper is about one important administrative process where professionals, representatives of the State, make decisions regarding children and families: child protection decision making. This process is analyzed within a democratic theoretical framework. The central weaknesses of the process are discussed and a current intention for reform is reviewed. This reform, however, which can be considered as a liberal bureaucratic one, is not the only possible way of overcoming the apparent shortcomings of the child protection administration. Another feasible direction might be titled a restorative bureaucracy reform. This alternative is considered as well, and demonstrated through the Family Group Conferencing model. The delineation between liberal and restorative bureaucratic approaches might be helpful in further developing child protection, and other related policies.