Using the model After the Child Forensic Interview (ACFI) as a motivator for interventions after child welfare investigations

Due to the consequences of child abuse, it is important that authorities act on suspicions of abuse to stop it and offer support and interventions. After the Child Forensic Interview (ACFI, in Swedish Efter barnförhöret ) is a model that aims to offer information and support to parents and children, and to motivate parents to accept interventions, which are mostly voluntary and typically require parental consent, to end the abuse. Based on interviews with 20 family social workers who use ACFI, this study uses content analysis to address the following research question: How do family social workers make use of ACFI to motivate parents to consent to interventions following child welfare investigations? Based on family social workers’ experiences, ACFI may function as a motivator. They describe how the timing during crisis, the chance to build trust during ongoing investigations, and the focus on how children are affected by problems such as suspected abuse all support motivational work. These mechanisms shape how ACFI is used to encourage parents to consent to interventions based on identified needs. The findings also suggest that offering support during ongoing investigations may help ensure children receive needed help and further motivate parents to consent to interventions.