This paper aims to utilize social theory to inform relationship-based social work practice with children, young people and families. We see ‘direct relationship-based working’ drawing on theory and evidence as best placed to take forward high quality, humanistic social work practice. We outline the problems with policy and practice development led by the latest high profile ‘scandal’ or by the overemphasis on experimental design and systematic reviews. This issue was highlighted during a recent debate about appropriate methodologies for exploring Family Group Conferences: the debate is explored as illustrative of our concerns. A flexible model is proposed, which draws on eclectic sources of evidence, social theory and professional knowledge. We propose some principles for a reflective, humanistic and responsive form of social work professionalism.

中文翻译：

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儿童福利的理论、研究和实践：社会工作的现状

本文旨在利用社会理论为儿童、年轻人和家庭提供基于关系的社会工作实践。我们认为利用理论和证据的“基于直接关系的工作”是推进高质量、人文社会工作实践的最佳方式。我们概述了由最新的高调“丑闻”或过分强调实验设计和系统评价导致的政策和实践发展问题。在最近关于探索家庭小组会议的适当方法的辩论中强调了这个问题：讨论是为了说明我们的关注。提出了一个灵活的模型，它借鉴了折衷的证据来源、社会理论和专业知识。我们为社会工作专业精神的反思、人文和响应形式提出了一些原则。