Learning from personal experience: reflexions on social work practice withmothers in child and family care

This paper seeks to show how, using a reflexive approach, it is possible to develop a better understanding of the experiences of mothers subject to ch ild and family social work intervention. Drawing upon the author's own expe rience of motherhood she draws attention to the ideological assumptions beh ind the professionals' responses to the problems and challenges of parentin g, This is explored through a critical analysis of dominant assumptions und erlying some psychological literature and child care policies, focusing par ticularly an their failure to focus on the issue of social disadvantage as a factor in parenting. An illustrative example from social work practice is presented in the light of this analysis. The paper concludes with an exami nation of how the reflexive consideration of personal experience, dominant ideas and practice can help to provide a deeper understanding of the dilemm as of parenthood for families subject to child and family care intervention .