Introduction to Human Services and the Role of Child Protection Officers in Australia

Running Head: HUMAN SERVICES 1
Introduction to Human Services
Name
Institution

HUMAN SERVICES 2
Introduction to Human Services
Introduction
The field of human services has become an essential part of the modern society. Today,
this field is broadly defined. However, the main objective of organizations and professionals in
this sector is to meet society’s needs through an interdisciplinary knowledge base. In addition, it
focuses on deterrence and remediation of social issues while maintaining a dedication to enhance
the quality of human life. In this regard, a human service professional is an individual that holds
a paraprofessional or professional job with the purpose of assisting the members of the society to
live as effectively as possible in the key domains of life (NOHS, 2018). These domains of
practice include social policy, group work, community work, working with families and
partnerships, and working with individuals. On the other hand, the fields of practice in human
services includes health, the disability fields, mental health, working with the elderly, child
protection and juvenile justice, youth work, employment services and income security, substance
abuse, and environmental and disaster work (NOHS, 2018). Therefore, this paper will discuss the
role of human service professionals in the domain of social policy and the field of practice of
child protection and juvenile justice. It will also highlight the potential ethical dilemmas that a
professional may encounter while working with culturally diverse clients. In addition, it will
apply some of the professional code of ethics in practice. One major organization in the country
that offers this human service in Australia the Department for Child Protection Services. In this
regard, the paper discusses the role of a child protection service professional working at the
Department for Child Protection Services in Australia with some focus on the domain of social
policy.

HUMAN SERVICES 3
Domain of social policy
Just like the name suggests, social policy refers to the various areas of policy that deal
with the welfare state of the members of society. It pertains to the principles, guidelines and
legislations that have an effect on the wellness of society and quality of human life. According to
the London School of Economics (2015) social policy is a discipline that deals with the analysis
of people’s response to social needs as regards to healthcare, human services, education and
safety. In this regard, the government through the Department of Child Protection Services steps
into the shoe of effecting policies on ensuring and protecting the welfare of children within the
Australian society. In turn, this helps in enhancing and improving the quality of life of children
who lack proper care of parents and guardians (McCann and Gray, 1986). According to the
domain of social policy, the government has the critical duty of keeping all children in Australia
safe (Kouzes and Mico, 1979). As a result, it takes an active role in ensuring that this duty is
undertaken by creating a welfare system that ensure and guarantee that children all over the
country have a safe, a social and emotional support system, permanent family connection for
healthy development.
The Field of Practice of Child Protection and Juvenile Justice
In Australia, statutory child protection is the duty of the territory and state government.
Therefore, governments set up bodies that are in charge of child protection and offer assistance
to at-risk children who are suspected of being neglected, abused or harmed. The departments also
steps in cases where the parents are considered to be unable to offer protection and care to their
children (Child Welfare, n.d.). In Australia, the government has delegated this duty to the
Department for Children Protection Services. This service has become an essential part of the