CASE STUDY

Protection of Children from Harm and Abuse

Protection of Children from Harm and Abuse

Introduction

This paper discusses the roles and tasks of social workers, in relation to work in children's services. Case study is analysed for the purpose of understanding the importance of social work values, methods and skills to highlight the role of effective and ethical practice in work with children. The report begins with the overview of the case, followed by the different types of abuses, effect of abuses in light of the case under review, legal perspective, role of professional agencies and contribution of social workers in this regard.

Overview of the Case

The scenario illustrates a situation in Manor Park, a children's unit situated in a housing estate. The case revolves around Mike, one of the teenage resident in the centre. He is undergoing physical, mental other type of abuses. His situation is worsening as he is engaging in physical and verbal abuse, drugs and alcoholic habits. This is adversely affecting his lifestyle in terms of academics and profession. A scenario has been presented where Mike is accused of stealing Money. This has further deteriorated the situation. This paper presents certain relevant legislations and contributions of professional agencies and social workers for the protection of children from violence and abuse. The laws enacted by the government are in context of the case.

Types of Abuses

There are four types of child abuse and neglect. These are physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional maltreatment and neglect.

Emotional Abuse

This involves deliberate or unintentional ways to belittle the child, calling him or her names and making faulty comparison with other children on a continual basis. Often inappropriate use of adjectives for the child can also have serious, lifelong psychological implication for the child. For instance, telling the child that he is worthless and a mistake can make the child believe that he truly is good for nothing and will destroy all his capabilities and talents. This also involves exposing the child to any form of abuse, whether with the child himself or abuse to someone else. Silent treatment is another form of emotional abuse whereby the child gets abandoned.

Emotional maltreatment with the child may be recognised if the child is extreme in his behaviour. This can involve either or both the extremes. For instance, extreme docility and compliance and extreme aggression may both be taken as signs of emotional abuse against the child.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse means harming the child physically or injuring the child. This harm can be deliberate and even unintentional. For instance, a parent or guardian may unintentionally hot a child real bad to discipline him. The use of the belt will leave faint scars on the child's fragile body. This also includes any physical punishment awarded to the child that is a clear misfit with the child's age and physical strength (Collings, 2008, pp.12). There is a clear demarcation between punishment aimed for disciplining the child and child physical abuse. Though, a majority of physical abusers of child ...