Week 1 - Child Welfare Workforce and NASW Standards Provide an overview of historical views on children and identify how this will impact your role in empowering families, protecting children from maltreatment, and engaging in ethical decision making as a child welfare worker. Historically, children were viewed very differently than they are today. Adults thought of children as being seen and not heard. Children were expected to work in textile factories or as chimney sweeps in order to provide for their families. They did not have rights and in the family, children followed the rule “do as you’re told” so they would survive. It was not until 1875 when the thought of the rights of children came about. Rights of children “stemmed from their status – dependent, immature individuals who require care, protection, and guidance to survive and flourish,” (Downs, Moore & McFadden, 2009, p. 7). Politicians thought children deserved an education and protection, so they introduced “child saving” activities that advocated for the improving the lives of and conditions for children. Since this was enacted orphanages were developed for communities that experienced disasters and orphan trains helped in resettling over 100,000 children. In 1924 the League of Nations approved the Geneva Declaration of of the Rights of a Child which gave children rights such as receiving food, healthcare, protection, and shelter (Strohm, Powerpoint, September 3). Having the history is beneficial because it
I always try to respect race, religion and cultural identity as there is the need for continuity and security, This is one of the reasons why I always address each young person by his/her name.
Modern society now especially since 1997 have tried putting children first such as committing to meeting children’s needs. There are still problems such as school truancy, adolescents not in education or training and also child protection as there have been tragic deaths including baby P and Victoria climbie, which her death was largely responsible for the formation of every child matters inactive plus a lot of other changes in different systems,
Often in these child rights movements tend to have children representative but are ran but “Despite good intentions and a deep commitment to children’s agency and authority, adults and children in this movement continue to replicate deeply structured patterns of behavior that give adults greater power (Taft, 2014, p. 460). There continues to be an unequal distribution of power between adults and children and it results in the child’s needs to be neglected. Focusing only on protection and provision does not allow us to grip an understanding of what children value as we speak on their behalf versus of listening to their wishes and present them with action opportunities
But children are a special case they cannot always stand up for themselves. They therefore need a special set of rights which take in to consideration their vulnerability and which ensures the adults that surround them take responsibly for their welfare, protection and development.
As concerns about the welfare of children rose in the mid-1800s, Parliament (the English government legislature) held investigations to find out the conditions of children workers. Below is an interview between a parliamentary investigator
4. How have societal viewpoints concerning child welfare influenced human services over the past three centuries?
“I believe in the children of the future,” are lyrics of The Greatest Love of All, made famous in 1977 and 1985 by George Benson and Whitney Houston respectively. They believed in the value of children in our society and that they should be protected. However, those people believed in a child 's capacity to change the world in the future. While people in the past saw children as a way to change the world while they were children. In the late seventeenth century, industrialization arose in England ushering in a new era of industry in our world. More industry means more workers, including children. With the rise of industrialization in a nation, child laborers are viciously abused due to their niche roles in production and their families
A. As we (as nursery nurses) are the ones that spend time with the children and look after them, we are the first contact for not only the children but for their parents too. So it’s very important that we are seen as professional and competent people at all times. I, as an individual, work alongside a small team of professional childcare workers to support, inspire, care for and look after all the children within my care. I will maintain a safe environment for the children to explore, learn and play in. I am polite to other staff, children and parents and communicate well with everyone.
During early modern Europe, children were viewed in many different ways which changed how parents chose to raise their children. During the 1500’s, the mortality rates for children were high, therefore children were viewed as if they were adults and very precious if they survived, many people believed that they needed to treat children harshly to make them strong. In the 1600’s, children were raised tenderly as they were rational beings that could use reason. Children were viewed in many ways during early modern Europe to be rational, precious, and in need of guidance where these views determined the parents’ choice in child rearing to behaving harshly to kind guidance.
Neglect and abuse towards children still occurs in society today as it did in pre-industrial times. Adult control over children can take the extreme form of physical neglect, or physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Some may say due to figures from charities such as Child Line rising there is a ‘dark side’ to family life, where children are victims. This shows in some cases the status of children hasn’t changed over time.
1) Describe the role of a volunteer working in school in supporting children and young people. You should describe how to establish professional relationships with children. Explain how your approach to supporting might vary according to the age of the children / young people you are involved in supporting for example, preschool, primary, secondary or Post 16.
4. How have societal viewpoints concerning child welfare influenced human services over the past three centuries?
•What tragic events have occurred from the beginning of time to the present which dictated the necessity for child advocacy and child protection?
The second account of a changing stance toward children’s rights was evolution alongside women’s rights. Before this time, women and children were seen as unimportant under the law, whereas a father was given almost total control over all matters regarding his wife and children. If a father was violent or neglectful, society simply turned their shoulder to it. In the latter half of the nineteenth century, laws pertaining to the family system began to change. A new law recognized the equal rights of fathers and mothers with the mother’s rights reigning over the fathers in regards to the children. Also, the legal system began viewing children as important to the future of society, therefore “appropriate objects of the court’s
In the nineteenth century, although society became a bit harsher on those who abused or neglected children and child welfare organizations mushroomed, child abuse and neglect were still not considered crimes (Hirschy, & Wilkinson, 2012). However, all through the twentieth century, the social perceptions of child abuse and neglect have shifted a great deal from something that was totally unacceptable to a demeanor that can no longer be allowed both in legal and social circles. But the criminalization of child abuse and neglect was only one step towards overall child wellbeing. There is still much more to be done to ensure that child maltreatment has been eradicated.