| Abstract: | High thresholds characterizing the provision of Children’sServices have become increasingly apparent in recent years,and concerns that these thresholds mean that high need familiesdo not receive a service have been expressed in key policy documents.This is despite a commitment, in policy and practice, to Preventionas an underlying theme for services. When referral is followedby a failure to access services, the coping strategies of theparents, in particular the mother, who is generally the primarycaregiver, become of particular practical importance. Thesecoping strategies are also of theoretical interest, being akey element of the newly developed concept of Proto Prevention,which extends our previous understanding of this area. Thispaper focuses on the coping strategies of families who wereunsuccessful applicants for Children’s Services, and asks:Which coping strategies were most effective in securing positiveoutcomes? It was found that the direct actions of the mother,and avoidance strategies such as denial or acceptance had littleeffect. However, seeking social support was associated withmore positive outcomes in child development and parenting, anddenial and disengagement with an increase in depression symptoms.The implications of these findings, for policy and practice,are discussed. |
