Not having the means – child and family protection in practice

Abstract

The aim of this study is to present some problems of the child protection system through the almost three-decade history of a family. The case study reveals the intergenerational trauma and its grave transgenerational impacts. Altogether, ten social workers were involved in the continual care provided for this family, which fact failed to bring stability to the family's chaotic relational system and made it difficult to develop trust, a basic precondition for effective social work interventions. The author's critical account of the institutional functioning is complemented by her suggestions to help families in similar situations more effectively.