Trevor Spratt
Professor
Psychology
Trinity College Dublin
Ireland
Biography
Having worked for some 10 years in social work practice with children and families my research interests are in this area. These include, decision making by professionals, how policy objectives are translated into professional practises, the development of child protection systems internationally, and the impact of early adversities in childhood as realised across the life-course. My first academic position was with the University of Ulster in 1997, moving thereafter to Queen's University Belfast in 2000. I took up the position as Director of the Children's Research Centre at TCD in 2014
Research Interest
Professional decision making. I have research experience in professional decision making with respect to children's protection and their welfare. Much of this has been concerned with national and comparative international investigations into knowledge and contextual determinants of decision making. 2. The translation of social policy into professional practices. I have undertaken research into patterns of practice in response to social policy initiatives pertaining to children and families. This work has been particularly concerned to investigate the relationship between official system output measures and child wellbeing indicators. 3. The life-course influences of multiple adversities experienced in childhood. This interdisciplinary research has been concerned with investigating associations between early childhood adversities and later health, economic and social outcomes in adulthood and drawing out implications for policy makers and practitioners concerned with evidence informed interventions.
Publications
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Spratt, T. and Devaney, J., Identifying families with multiple problems: Perspectives of practitioners and managers in three nations, British Journal of Social Work, 39, (3), 2009, p418 - 434
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Spratt, T., Identifying families with multiple problems: Possible responses from child and family social work to current policy developments, British Journal of Social Work, 39, (3), 2009, p435 - 450
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Devaney, J. and Spratt, T., Child abuse as a complex and wicked problem: Reflecting on policy developments in the United Kingdom in working with children and families with multiple problems, Children and Youth Services Review, 31, (6), 2009, p635 - 641
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Hayes, D. and Spratt, T., Child welfare interventions: Patterns of social work practice, British Journal of Social Work, 39, (8), 2009, p1575 - 1597
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Davidson, G., Devaney, J. and Spratt, T., The impact of adversity in childhood on outcomes in adulthood: Research lessons and limitations, Journal of Social Work, 10, (4), 2010, p369 - 390
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Houston, S., Spratt, T. and Devaney, J., Mandated prevention in child welfare: Considerations from a framework shaping ethical inquiry, Journal of Social Work, 11, (3), 2011, p287 - 305
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Spratt, T., Families with multiple problems: Some challenges in identifying and providing services to those experiencing adversities across the life course, Journal of Social Work, 11, (4), 2011, p343 - 357
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Spratt, T., Why Multiples Matter: Reconceptualising the Population Referred to Child and Family Social Workers, British Journal of Social Work, 42, (8), 2012, p1574 - 1591
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McGavock, L. and Spratt, T., Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences in a University Population: Associations with use of Social Services, British Journal of Social Work, 44, (3), 2014, p657 - 674
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Spratt, T., Nett, J., Bromfield, L., Heitamaki, J., Kindler, H. and Ponnert, L., Child Protection in Europe: Development of an International Cross-Comparison Model to Inform National Policies and Practices, British Journal of Social Work, 2014, p1 - 18
