Child Protection and Aged Care in Australia

Running head: ARTICLE REVIEW 1
Article Review
(Author’s name)
(Institutional Affiliation)

ARTICLE REVIEW 2
Child Protection in Australia
Summary of Ideas and Arguments
In the article titled, “Child Protection and Vulnerable Families: Trends and Issues in the
Australian Context,” the author Elizabeth Fernandez provides a discussion on the development
of child protection in Australia. She argues that instances of Child maltreatment are more
prevalent among vulnerable families in the country (Fernandez, 2014). This has led to the federal
government intervening in cases of child abuse through state government child protection
agencies. The author indicates that one of the most effective ways to protect children from the
maltreatment in their homes is through empowering vulnerable families (Fernandez, 2014).
Doing this has proven to be effective as it has led to an increase in the number of reports on child
abuse thereby enabling the relevant government agencies to take action to safeguard the child.
Theories
The arguments presented by the author are underpinned by the culture of poverty theories.
A popular facet of the culture of poverty theories holds that a significant percentage of abusive
parents tend to replicate the parenting style they experienced growing up (Bywaters et al., 2016).
This serves to explain why cases of child mistreatment are predominant amongst members of the
countries indigenous community.
Influence of Information Presented
The information will help me as a social worker be able to effectively relate to abused
children from the vulnerable families, interact with their parents and develop effective treatment
plans. The information is also helpful in deciding whether or not an out of home care system is
the best option for a mistreated child or not.
Reflection

ARTICLE REVIEW 3
The information presented in the article is quite significant to me as it demonstrates the
major drivers of child mistreatment in Australia. It also educates me on the major forms of child
abuse in the country and the different protection processes an abused child can go through.
Through this information, one can be able to effectively execute his/her duties as a social worker
and child protector.
Aged Care in Australia
Summary
The article, “Residential Aged Care Policy in Australia- Are We Learning from
Evidence?” by Lynn Chenoweth, Marie dela Rama, and Richard Baldwin provides information
on the development of the country's aged care industry. The authors indicate that the country's
aged care sector will grow significantly in the coming ten years thereby resulting in an increase
in government expenditure (Baldwin, & Chenoweth, 2015). The authors argue that the reforms
being implemented by the government are likely to impact the quality of care that is provided for
the age in society. They indicate there is a need for the government to implement policy that is
evidence-based and reflect the industry structure.
Theory
The information provided in the article is based on the theory of resource mobilization
where the greater the demand, the more the cost (McCarthy, & Zald, 2013). This will make it
difficult for a significant percentage of those who require aged care to get access to it. The
government, therefore, needs to implement policies that will cushion those who need residential
care from the rising cost.
Influence of Information Presented