Where a child is thought to be suffering or likely to suffer considerable harm, the local authority is requisite under section 47 of the Children Act 1989 to make enquiries. Every Child Matters was enacted as a green paper alongside the Laming report (Laming 2003) emphasising on exploring a preventive approach pertaining to social work as opposed to reactive child protection methods. Amie Newton (4 yrs) has been brought to the hospital casualty department by her mother. On examination she is found to have a newly broken left leg. She also has an old, fading bruise at the back of her right thigh, measuring about 15cm by 1cm. She is slightly underweight and has a miserable appearance. The case study will approach its remit by exploring Furlong and Cartmel (1999)’s school of thought; their study set out to determine that many crimes are committed by adults. Amie Newton appears as a child subjected to ‘normal’ crime and victimisation of children behind closed doors according to (Brammer 2010). The study will undertake a design to explore the traditional parameters and how relevant they are to the guide of the legal framework and substantive law pertaining to social work. The study will further give in-depth analysis into Amie Newton’s family background and discusses the anti-discriminatory practice and the growing influence of the Human rights Act of 1989. As for the hypothesis posed, it will be possible to comment on the ‘Big Picture ‘approach to multi agency problem solving and the practical implications. Whenever a child is harmed or concerns are raised that a child may be at risk of harm or neglect, the authority where the incident occurred is responsible for informing the child's home authority immediately and inviting them to... ... middle of paper ... ...2002). Effective child protection. London, SAGE. http://public.eblib.com/EBLPublic/PublicView.do?ptiID=254777. Newton, C. (1995) Circle of Adults: Reflecting and Problem Solving Around Emotional Needs and Behaviour: Educational Psychology in Practice, Vol 11, No. 2, pp. 8-14 O'Brien, J. and Lovett, H. (1992) Finding a Way Toward Everyday Lives: The contribution of Person Centered Planning. Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Office of Mental Retardation. PRINGLE, M. K. (1986). The needs of children a personal perspective. London, Hutchinson.http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=399147. SEDEN, J. (2011). Professional development in social work: complex issues in practice. Abingdon, Oxon, Routledge. SCHWARTZ, D. (2005). Including children with special needs: a handbook for educators and parents. Westport, Conn, Greenwood Press.
When children are hurt physically, emotionally, or sexually it is known to be child abuse. Children are known to be neglected when they are not getting the proper attention needed for children. When children are neglected or abused in any way it is the responsibility of others to report such acts to the authorities as to what they have witnessed first-hand or signs of abuse or neglect seen after the fact, these people who reports such acts are known as third parties. The proper authorities to report child abuse or neglect is called Child Protected Services also known as Child Welfare. After the abuse or neglect is reported the proper authorities will then investigate to see if the abuse or neglect is legit or fraudulent (Sedlak, 2001).
Wilson, K. and Adrian J. L. (2007) The Child Protection Handbook: The Practitioner's Guide to Safeguarding Children. Edinburgh: Bailliere Tindall
Ward, H. et al, 2012. Safeguarding babies and very young children from abuse and neglect. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. P 205.
This essay will first address the statute used and interpretation of the threshold test by the courts, and then focus on cases involving vulnerable children to assess whether the statute in The Children Act 1989 is sufficient in protecting these children from harm. I will look at the argument in favour of the current approach taken by the courts, and the counter-argument in favour of changing the current approach. The arguments are delicately balanced and the law is always developing, so it will be interesting to see how the Supreme Court resolves this issue in future.
To conclude, although Lord Laming is still certain that Every Child Matters did make a difference to most children’s lives in the UK and stated that there is assurance that the history of Victoria Climbie or Baby Peter will not repeat itself. Repeating what is said earlier, the aims of Every Child Matters are essential however the approach is treacherous. I still believe that capitalizing on the progress of frontline services is key to improving this application. The concern here is that Every Child Matters will again disappoint to save another child’s life due to failure in realising the limitations.
The UK’s nations, England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales have their own child protection system and laws to help protect children from abuse and neglect. They have a framework of legislation, guidance, and practice to identify children who are at risk from harm and to protect them and act in preventing further abuse.
The Daniel Pelka serious case review is one of many that are conducted around the United Kingdom every year. A serious case review is a local enquiry into the death or serious injury of a child, where abuse or neglect are known or suspected. These are conducted by the Local Safeguarding Children Boards; with the main focus being on what lessons can be learnt locally to prevent this from happening again (Brandon, Bailey, Belderson, 2010). In this textual analysis we will be looking back at previous case reviews including Jasmine Beckford and Baby P. We will then look at what recommendations have been made and use the Peka case to see weather we have learned from our previous mistakes or are we still in the same position now as we where then.
'Social workers have a professional and ethical responsibility to (...) interact and intervene with clients and their environments' (Teater, 2010, p.4). According to this premise, the ecological approach in social work interventions offers an effective method of relating children, young people and their families to their environment. It is an approach that allows social workers to intervene in cases where a child is abused or neglected, while providing a good theoretical framework for social workers' direct work. This essay is going to assess the ecological model within a social work practice directed at children. It will stress the importance of this model, and explain its application in today's child protection work. Firstly, the text will introduce the ecological approach by introducing its origins and a theoretical framework. Secondly, it will be described how social workers carry out an assessment within the given model, and how it is applied in practice in a direct work of practitioners. Finally, significant strengths and deficits of the approach will be contrasted in order to assess importance of the ecological perspective. 'It is (…) important to be aware that the abusiveness of any act cannot be understood except in context' (Beckett, 2007, p.16), and thus ecological approach allows social work practitioners to explore environmental and social causes of children’s maltreatment in an afford to consequently eliminate these.
As a Child Protective worker, my responsibilities are to assess safety (immediate), risk (future harm), abuse and maltreatment, and make a determination as to whether a child is safe or at risk of future harm and assess the need for services. The child welfare worker assigned to investigate the case failed to ensure the above. Works Cited Downs-Whitelaw, S., Moore, E., & McFadden, E. J. (2009). The 'Standard' of the 'Standard'.
Two years ago, I embarked on a journey that would teach me more than I had ever imagined. As a recent college graduate, I was thrilled to finally begin my teaching career in a field I have always held close to my heart. My first two years as a special education teacher presented countless challenges, however, it also brought me great fulfillment and deepened my passion for teaching students with special needs. The experiences I have had both before and after this pivotal point in my life have undoubtedly influenced my desire to further my career in the field of special education.
Galpin, D. and Bates, N. 2009. Social work practice with adults. Exeter: Learning Matters Ltd.
Watson, D & West, J 2006, Social work process and practice: approaches, knowledge, and skills, Palgrave Macmillan, Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire; New York.
Wilson, K. et. al., 2011. Social Work ' Introduction to Contemporary Practice'. 2nd ed. Essex, England.: Pearson Education Ltd .
Munro (2003) states child abuse is treating a child in a way that is harmful or morally wrong however, goes on to explain it is hard to find a universal agreement of the definition of child abuse. NSPCC (2010) further explains child abuse as maltreatment of a child. This can be done directly by inflicting harm or indirectly by failing to prevent harm from happening. Abuse can be perpetrated by an adult or another child. Working Together to Safeguard Children (2013) states that it’s the responsibility of everyone who works with children to make sure that a child is safeguarded and their welfare promoted. The Purpose of this essay is firstly to discuss risk factors posed to Simone and Sasha through the scenario provided and highlight ways a professional should assess whether a child is suffering from an abusive or neglectful situation. Secondly the appropriate action that needs to be taken, and the support that needs to be given, and what services will be involved with the family in order to prevent a family brake down while safeguarding and protecting the children’s welfare, will also be discussed. Lastly this essay will draw on current legislation, guidance and procedures that promote multi– agency working in order to effectively safeguard and promote children’s welfare.
Heward, W. L. (2013). Exceptional children: An introduction to special education (10th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.