Analyzing Social Workers' Role in Children's Care and Development

Verified

Added on  2023/04/24

|15
|4394
|339
Essay
AI Summary
This essay examines the crucial role of social workers in ensuring a safe and healthy environment for children, irrespective of their socioeconomic status. It discusses the changing family structures, parenting styles, and the impact of these changes on child care. The essay highlights the importance of social workers, including health visitors and social work assistants, in providing essential care and support to children, especially those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds or those lacking adequate parental care. It also touches upon different parenting styles, legislative acts like the Children and Social Care Act 2017, and the role of global organizations like UNICEF in promoting child welfare. The essay concludes that social workers play a vital role in implementing strategies aimed at benefiting children and their families, ultimately contributing to the overall wellbeing and development of the children.
Document Page
Running head: SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE CARE OF CHILDREN
Topic: SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE CARE OF CHILDREN
Student’s Name:
University Name:
Author Note:
tabler-icon-diamond-filled.svg

Secure Best Marks with AI Grader

Need help grading? Try our AI Grader for instant feedback on your assignments.
Document Page
1SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE CARE OF CHILDREN
Section 1
Recently, children and young adults make up majority of the population.
However, there are various changes regarding future of education as well as similar cases
regarding the future of young children and those especially belonging to lower
socioeconomic conditions. Moreover, family structures have changed a lot with the advent of
the 21st century as a result of the changing economic structures which has lead a to a visible
change in the care provided to children. Parenting styles and their eventual change is another
pivotal factor affecting the care given to children. Moreover various rules as well as
regulations regarding the care of children belonging to lower socio economic conditions has
been included to impact the direct upbringing of the involved children.
The given essay encompasses the primary role of social workers for an instance social
workers, health visitors, social work assistants and it plays an important role in the assurance
of a safe environment for children. It also ensures that that live in a healthy environment
receiving all the basic facilities and amenities related to the primary growth of the children
which is irrespective of the socioeconomic status as well as barriers of health.
Gradual improvisation in the structuring of family which has witnessed an ultimate
transition from joint families to nuclear ones even run by one component of the family.
Welfare systems have also changed especially in countries like US where policies have
included permission for women to raise their held without the interface of males. In UK
arrangements for poor children has been made pirating to the ever changing socioeconomic
strata. In UK, mainly isometric analysis of various singular policy interventions have been
made often leading to conflicts regarding the subsequent effect of the family structure as well
as the mental and physical wellbeing of the children. Especially belonging to poor
Document Page
2SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE CARE OF CHILDREN
socioeconomic conditions (Griffiths, 2017). Channing economic conditions the functional
role played by each of the family members in joint families is also missing.
The distinct change in family structures has been evident which has an impact on the
children and their economic upbringing alongside their academic excellence. Research
studies claim that before the advent of the industrial phase males used to dominate the society
where females used to stay at home and look after the family and children were driven by
academic interest primarily. Moreover, women employed women who’s worked at time used
to have fewer children and marry at older age. So earlier, women dominated the house and
had the time to take care of their children (Goldsheider, Bernhardt and Lappegard, 2015). The
whole phenomenon is also termed as gender evolution however situations are much different
in recent times where the number of women working outside has increased along with
singular housel thus having a strong impact on the car and support given to children.
Social care takers and social worker has an important role to play in this scenario. Their main
task to listen patiently, changing present adverse situation, as well as support the process of
transformation, discovery of cases caused by the families and their children. Parents oftenly
are responsible for taking caring for children. However if they fail to do so implying the
socioeconomic backdrop and their reduced attention then the term adaptation is due and such
children directly come under the care and support of foster homes mitred by the social
workers. Advocation by social workers like health visitors or professional is necessary for the
essential care and support for their academic excellence and their educational acquirements
(Featherstone, Morris and White, 2014).
Adaptation of a proper arresting style is primary for the care and proper upbringing
of the children. Four types of parenting’s are there. Authoritarian styles involve the
administration of the parents who are strict and often fail to understand the basic requirement
Document Page
3SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE CARE OF CHILDREN
of their chider. Permissive style involve those who fail to understand the responsibility of
their child and often are too lenient which result in spoiling of the kids in the process.
Uninvolved children ignore their children and often are the ones who are least bothered to
care for their children thus each parenting style is different in its own away and has its pros
and cons in the process of the upbringing of their child. Middle class families follow the
authoritative style whirred children are brought up in script environment. According to
Baumarind, authoritative parenting causes children to be timid and fearful and is caused due
to assertiveness among parents. Moreover it has been the primary style earlier and has led to
the academic excellence in children (Steinberg and Darling, 2017). With time slowly the
contemporary parenting styles have been involved due to the increase in people going too
office especially women having a strong impact on the parenting style imparted. Parenting
styles has some important with the advent of the 21st century. Parenting practices inclusive of
issues like supportiveness, management, and harshness are important factors which decide
whether their children trust their parents or may have probability of creating crimes. The
claims made by the parents though their disciplinary efforts, maturity demands, willingness to
teach their child the right thing supervision is defined as Parental management (Simon et.al.
2016). It is apprehended as a long termed recess having flexible, cooperative and an intensive
routine. Thus humans have the ability of showing altruism marked by increase in care and
support towards their own siblings. Alomaternal care is pivotal in providing are to closed
ones resulting in the care and support given by parents towards their children (Sear, 2016)...
There has been recent change in context related to political matters which has a strong
impact on the emergence of various programs pertaining to social service. Such social
caretakers focus on the parenting styles and try to implement in their strategies of providing a
healthy and stable life for children. Community services related to issues like health, poverty
alleviation issues as well as matters involving community development are often considered
tabler-icon-diamond-filled.svg

Secure Best Marks with AI Grader

Need help grading? Try our AI Grader for instant feedback on your assignments.
Document Page
4SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE CARE OF CHILDREN
as the prime factors affecting the socio economic conditions prevailing in the current society.
It simultaneously has a negative impact on the people. Apart from it, social workers should
focus on the implementation types of parenting styles for future as well as healthcare of
children and their families (Healy, 2014). Implementation of various strategies has already
been done according to the varying parenting styles which is often relflected in the
contemporary world. Social workers working in school settings often has to fllow thr primary
methods of approach towards their parents, that is through effective interactive sessions and
consultation. They should highlight the fruitful implementation of the parenting styles for the
proper upbringing of the children. Based on the interactions of the sessions between the
parents and the social workers they should formulate an active assessment followed by varios
interventions highting the issues which mainly affect children and their families involved.
Active participation is expected from the workers. Along with supportive assistance along
with the development of the programs which is mainly associated with the health prosperity
as well as physical and mental well being of the children. Various professional works
together in bring out fruitful changes for betterment of children and their families, if present.
They fall under the umbrella term of social workers whereas they each category has a
different expertise with the main aim of looked after children who are deprived of their basic
amenities. One such profession is the health visitor who is qualified, primarily registered
midwives. They are specially trained to look after needs of children and health needs of
families as well as communities at large for promotion and prevention of mainly ailments
which have the potential of turning out into epidemics. Assessment of health related factors is
a compulsory task of the social health visitors through various quantitative as well as
qualitative factors. Moreover there must be implementation of various successful awareness
camps highlighting the causes for the care and support given to the mental and physical
welfare of the families involved.
Document Page
5SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE CARE OF CHILDREN
Various barriers exist in the translation of proper research based knowledge which is
compulsory for meeting the various requirements of children young people and even children
who did not have the priiviledge of living in a family. Various governmental rules regulations
and policies have been included for high risk and vulnerable populations and those who have
been unable to consider, number future or various problems which are usually faced by the
families (Jenson and Fraser, 2015). Along the rules and frameworks implemented for the
betterment of children various legislative laws have been passed in UK. Special education
needs (SEN) was qualified as legislative acts in UK in 2017 for more than 10 years. It aims
towards helping children in assessments and various outcomes involved including the future
of the students and the choices taken by the parents for the betterment of their child’s future.
This legislation comprehends the approaches based on person’s opinions along with the
initiatives taken pertaining to mental health alongside multi professional collaborations
(Norwich and Eaton, 2015). Frameworks need to be implemented for the proper care and
support given to people and children. Various formalized frameworks which have been
included by the government of UK includes frameworks which emphasize on the decision
making process for child protection on care orders as well as in general (Barrack et al. 2015).
The Children and Social Care Act was passed in 2017. It gives primary importance on
legislative frameworks required proper supporting of programs related to reformation
according to the social care of children which is included in the policies of 2016. It also
complies with the rules and regulations of the government for promotion of the safety and
security of children through skirt provision of sexual and various involvements pertaining to
relationships. Special sections have been implemented for the care given to look after
children simultaneously enhancing safety issues of children along with successful
implementation of various laws related to children (Legislation.gov.uk, 2019).
Document Page
6SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE CARE OF CHILDREN
There has the various local as global organisation for looking after the basic needs of
children. UNICEF is such an organisation where the provision of care to children is most
important. It aims to meet the basic requirements of the children which ultimately lead to
expansion of various opportunities and helps them in reaching their own potential. Protection,
survival and children’s development are important which imperatives integral to the progress
of human are. Furthermore, mobilisation of sources and political wills have been done for
children belonging to developing countries for increasing their internal capacities. Social
workers can follows rules implemented by guidelines laid by UNICEF (UNICEF, 2019).
Thus the initiatives taken by the social workers in working for the betterment of children and
their families involved will bring about a change in the way unprivileged children are treated.
This will be beneficial in provision of necessary reserves and the implemented amenities and
basic needs.
From the aforementioned paragraphs it can be assumed that proper support as well as
care when given to children will be mostly needed which has to be addressed. Social workers
play a major role in the implementation of the strategies aimed at the benefits if the children
and their future. Various laws and lenitive acts have been included for issues pertaining to
children. Child and Social care Act in 2017 which focuses to access the various needs
addressed by children and their families. Proper combination of structural organisation as
well as parenting styles implemented by the family will be fruitful in meeting the social and
cultural demands and help the families to lead normal lives along with these successful
implementations. The basic needs and amenities of children will also be addressed
irrespective of the prevailing issues similar to the social determinants of health like social
stigma as well as socioeconomic status.
tabler-icon-diamond-filled.svg

Paraphrase This Document

Need a fresh take? Get an instant paraphrase of this document with our AI Paraphraser
Document Page
7SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE CARE OF CHILDREN
Section 2
Recently, the number of children without care or proper homes have increased. Such
numbers constitute children’s population is very popular in countries like UK. Looked after
Child is an example of such an intervention addressing such kinds of issues which has been a
part of the children Act .In 1989 improvisations to this issue has been made. Looked after
children fall under the broad category of children who are alone r kept without any care.
Numerous specification as well as rules and regulations have been passed I support of
Looked after Child (Hill ET al.2017). Moreover cases wherever children has been victims of
inhuman torture or abuse either physically or mentally has been included under the pact of
Looked after Child and is one of the primary issues addressed currently by the system.
Various problems with the implementation of such programs mainly address children
who often claim that they are victims of inequalities and biasness. Thus the diverse aspects of
social position are affected. Moreover, misinterpretations have occurred due to religious
conflicts where the rules implied should follow he the rules associated with social advantages
or disadvantages. Differences may be due to varying interventions pertaining to welfare. ((By
waters et al. 2016). According to further research into the matter it is observed that workers
often do not flow perspectives as well as do not carry out proper decision making. However,
different opinions have been also received from children as well as young looked after
children (Ridley et al., 2016).
Issues regarding genetic risks, historical evidences of child abuse and the age of the
children matter for such in discrepancies as adolescents is a vulnerable phase in the life of
children which include various risks and the opportunities which lead to increase in the
number of mental ailments like depression. Various cases get stretched or slipped despite
being the center of guidance and legislated guided by the government (Schofield et al., 2014).
Document Page
8SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE CARE OF CHILDREN
Young children often face atrocities on the context of educational developments in
UK. They are the most vulnerable group as a result of which has thee likelihood of getting
pregnant. The percentage of children getting pregnant is much moorhen the percentage of non
LAC (Mosey ET al.2017). They have high behavioral and emotional difficulties which results
in poor progress in the curriculum and thus often has left school being deprived of enough
qualifications (Bazalgette, Rahilly & Trevelyan, 2015). Moreover they even have poor
performance in academics .Robust analysis of treatment effect estimators has led to such
conclusions (Foreman et al. 2016).
In the UK, there is an increasing need of investigation of the placements pertaining to
education regarding the increasing rates of LAC. 69, 540 LAC has beenfound in 2015 and
this shows upsurge by 6% than children being looked after in 2015 according to Sheba et al.
(2015). LAC are the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children worldwide despite of being
able to live independently. Furthermore, the fact 6% of LACs have the privilege of attending
university compared to 50% of children in England adds to their disadvantage. Although they
have aspirations in life lack of parity as well as equity has a distinct negative impact. Results
of these interview related to this issue with children shows their determination for excelling
in academics (Manna et al. 2015) but their plan of realizing and implementing it varies from
person to person. Educational attainment of LACs post compulsory education has been
evaluated by Lipkin, (2016). The problems of comparing educational achievement according
to literacy and numeracy in all LACs than children in England has been evident from studies
by Sutcliffe, Gardiner and Melhuish (2017) .National studies were conducted by children in
care of state from 205-2013 thus stating that prolonged periods in care enhanced the
educational progress of LAC.
Few research papers make the care system responsible for the decreased academic
excellence of children. Lacking a proper care system by learning that LAC have shown
Document Page
9SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE CARE OF CHILDREN
disadvantage, early abuse and it is unreasonable for the care system to compensate for this as
stated by Walker (2017). Many policies have been made and reviewed in countries like
Wales, Scotland and have been initiated in UK. Promotion of emotional wellbeing has been
one of the important frameworks for these children. The responsibility of reducing barriers
like accessing basic amenities and support for well-being of target group has been made.
Local authorities have been given the responsibility to minimize any barrier in accessing
services to support well-being for the target group (Bazalgette, Rahilly and Trevelyan 2015).
As mental and physical health of children has been made cursory. Improvement of the lives
of LACs as well as young people is encouraged for the wellbeing of them emotionally.
Moreover increase in the number of organisations is highly encouraged. However focus need
to be made for improvement of school environment for prevention of any negative experience
seen among children and any evidence of adverse life experience should not be there (Forman
et al. 2016. Putting emphasis on emotional well-being for the target group is important along
with ) lack of fulfilment of emotional needs making these issues one of the major barriers to
career success for LACs,. Children often suffer from issues like anxiety and fear of rejection,
and there is a dire need for local agencies to identify local services that help build their
resilience. Young people would thus be able to identify themselves as individual entities. An
approach based on resilience will help in working with children belonging to the vulnerable
group and reduce issues as well as problems related to stigmatization in schools as stated by
South et.al (2016).
The conclusion gather from the information of the aforementioned paragraphs explore
the positive impacts of LAC and the field of improvement which need to be done for their
betterment and increase in their academic records. Care support is an integral part of their
enhancement mentally as it will help to get rid of their traumatic experiences. Proper
alignment with the foster homes should be done for the their mental set up with the children
tabler-icon-diamond-filled.svg

Secure Best Marks with AI Grader

Need help grading? Try our AI Grader for instant feedback on your assignments.
Document Page
10SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE CARE OF CHILDREN
who had already undergone traumatic experiences and provision of much needed care and
comfort both physically as well as mentally is also pivotal to this issue. There is an increase
in hope and prosperity n children with the props set of changes brought about by LAC which
will change their outlook toward life and lead to their mental excellence.
Document Page
11SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE CARE OF CHILDREN
References
Bazalgette, L., Rahilly, T. and Trevelyan, G., 2015. Achieving emotional wellbeing for
looked after children. NSPCC, available online at https://www. nspcc. org.
uk/globalassets/documents/research-reports/achieving-emotional-wellbeing-for-looked-after-
children. pdf (accessed 6 September 2017).
Bywaters, P., Brady, G., Sparks, T. and Bos, E., 2016. Inequalities in child welfare
intervention rates: The intersection of deprivation and identity. Child & Family Social
Work, 21(4), pp.452-463.
Featherstone, B., Morris, K. and White, S., 2014. Re-imagining child protection: Towards
humane social work with families. Policy Press.
Forsman, H., Brännström, L., Vinnerljung, B. and Hjern, A., 2016. Does poor school
performance cause later psychosocial problems among children in foster care? Evidence from
national longitudinal registry data. Child abuse & neglect, 57, pp.61-71.
Griffiths, R., 2017. No Love on the Dole: The Influence of the UK Means-tested Welfare
System on Partnering and Family Structure. Journal of Social Policy, 46(3), pp.543-561.
Healy, K., 2014. Social work theories in context: Creating frameworks for practice.
Macmillan International Higher Education.
Hill, L., Baker, C., Kelly, B. and Dowling, S., 2017. Being counted? Examining the
prevalence of looked‐after disabled children and young people across the UK. Child &
Family Social Work, 22(1), pp.287-295.
Jütte, S., Bentley, H., Miller, P. and Jetha, N., 2014. How safe are our children. London:
NSPCC.
Document Page
12SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE CARE OF CHILDREN
Legislation.gov.uk. (2019). Children and Social Work Act 2017.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/16/notes/division/3/index.htm [Accessed 31 Jan.
2019].
Lipkin, S. 2016. The educational experiences of looked after children: the views of young
people in two London boroughs (Doctoral dissertation, UCL (University College London).
Retrieved from: http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1485858/1/Beenstock_final%20thesis%20revised
%20for%20binding.pdf
Mannay, D., Staples, E., Hallett, S., Roberts, L., Rees, A., Evans, R.E. and Andrews, D.,
2015. Understanding the educational experiences and opinions, attainment, achievement and
aspirations of looked after children in Wales. Retrieved from:
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/81154/1/151111-understanding-educational-experiences-opinions-looked-
after-children-en.pdf
Mezey, G., Robinson, F., Gillard, S., Mantovani, N., Meyer, D., White, S. and Bonell, C.,
2017. Tackling the problem of teenage pregnancy in looked‐after children: a peer mentoring
approach. Child & Family Social Work, 22(1), pp.527-536.
Norwich, B. and Eaton, A., 2015. The new special educational needs (SEN) legislation in
England and implications for services for children and young people with social, emotional
and behavioural difficulties. Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, 20(2), pp.117-132.
O'Loughlin, M. and O'Loughlin, S., 2016. Social work with children and families. Learning
Matters.
Sear, R., 2016. Beyond the nuclear family: an evolutionary perspective on parenting. Current
Opinion in Psychology, 7, pp.98-103.
tabler-icon-diamond-filled.svg

Paraphrase This Document

Need a fresh take? Get an instant paraphrase of this document with our AI Paraphraser
Document Page
13SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE CARE OF CHILDREN
Sebba, J., Berridge, G., Luke, N. , Fletcher, J., Bell. K., Strand, S., Tomas, S., Sinclair,
A.,and O’Higgins, A., 2015. The Educational Progress of Looked After Children in England:
Linking Care and Educational Data. Retrieved from:
https://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/sites/default/files/files/EducationalProgressLookedAfter
ChildrenOverviewReportNov2015.pdf
Simons, L.G., Sutton, T.E., Simons, R.L., Gibbons, F.X. and Murry, V.M., 2016.
Mechanisms that link parenting practices to adolescents’ risky sexual behavior: A test of six
competing theories. Journal of youth and adolescence, 45(2), pp.255-270.
South, R., Jones, F.W., Creith, E. and Simonds, L.M., 2016. Understanding the concept of
resilience in relation to looked after children: A Delphi survey of perceptions from education,
social care and foster care. Clinical child psychology and psychiatry, 21(2), pp.178-192.
Steinberg, L. and Darling, N., 2017. Parenting style as context: An integrative model.
In Interpersonal Development (pp. 161-170). Routledge.
Sutcliffe, A. G., Gardiner, J., and Melhuish, E. 2017. Educational progress of looked-after
children in England: a study using group trajectory analysis. Pediatrics, e20170503.
The Fostering Network. 2013. Raising the Ambitions and Educational Attainment of
Children who are Looked After in Wales. Retrieved from
https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/sites/www.fostering.net/files/content/
reviewoflacedstrategyfirstyearfinal.pdf
UNICEF. (2019). UNICEF's mission statement. [online] Available at:
https://www.unicef.org/about/who/index_mission.html [Accessed 31 Jan. 2019].
Document Page
14SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE CARE OF CHILDREN
Walker, G.D., 2017. ‘Children aren’t Standardized, they are Unique’: Using Bourdieu to
Expose the Complexity behind Educational Outcomes of Looked-After
Children. International Journal of Technology and Inclusive Education, 6(1), pp.980-988.
Woolgar, M. and Baldock, E., 2015. Attachment disorders versus more common problems in
looked after and adopted children: comparing community and expert assessments. Child and
Adolescent Mental Health, 20(1), pp.34-40.
chevron_up_icon
1 out of 15
circle_padding
hide_on_mobile
zoom_out_icon
[object Object]