Lancaster Interdisciplinary Child Welfare Research Unit (CWRU)

Located in the Department of Applied Social Science, CWRU brings together a group of academics who are committed to the advancement of knowledge, and development of policy and practice in child welfare. The Department's primary disciplines are Social Work and Criminology; however, members of the research group work with colleagues from a range of disciplinary backgrounds. The group is committed to maximising the impact and relevance of research work.

Based on principles of inclusivity, members of CWRU work in close collaboration with practice partners (local authorities, third sector and private sector agencies), service user groups, colleagues from UK and overseas Universities and the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE). Integral to the success of this group is the contribution of the department’s postgraduate student community.

Research Themes

Child Welfare, Technology and Information
Improving Safeguarding Practices
Social Protection for Children and Families
The Boundaries between 'Care' and 'Crime' (Looked After Children)
Adoption and Fostering
Professional practice: definition and directions
Critical reflection in child welfare
Effective family support interventions

Coventry and Warwickshire Pre-Proceedings Pilot Report

The report from the Coventry and Warwickshire Pre-Proceedings Pilot is now available in full. An article in which Dr Karen Broadhurst and Ms Kim Holt set out the arguments that have provided the rationale for this project is available on the web-site of Family Law Week.

Seminar Series

This seminar series forms part of the activity of the interdisciplinary Child Welfare Research Unit (CWRU).

You can view past seminars by visiting our archive of CWRU seminar podcasts.

Details of our new seminar series will be announced in Autumn 2012.

The CWRU Co-ordinator is Karen Broadhurst.

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County South, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YD, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1524 594116 Fax: +44 (0) 1524