The challenge in child and youth care research and practice:professionalization ánd participation

This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts discussed in this book. The book argues that child and youth care is characterized as: increasingly professional but (still) hesitantly participatory. It shows why it is necessary to attune the professional process to the needs and views of children, youth and parents, and why it is profitable for all parties involved that clients play an active role. Realizing a participatory approach to professionalization will not happen by itself. On the contrary, it asks for a pro-active attitude from child and youth care workers: they face the challenge of actively helping to realize the conditions for a dialogue with clients, both in the direct interaction with children, youth and parents, but also in considering the organizational conditions that can facilitate client participation. Also, it is desirable that working models supporting such client participation that have already been developed or will be developed, are evaluated with the help of scientific research