‘The main focus of social work practice with children and families should be on the protection of children at risk from ‘significant harm’ rather than on the provision of support for ‘children in need’ and their families’. Please refer to relevant literature, theory, research, and NI law and policy to critically discuss this statement.
Guidance:
The purpose of this assignment is to show a critical understanding of the concepts of child protection and family support.
Please review the module lecture material
Your assignment should demonstrate and understanding of and a critique of the refocusing debate and the value positions informing practice in Family and Child Care Social Work
Your assignment should be informed by appropriate literature, research, inquires, policy and legislation
It should contain critical analysis and not just describe the context
It should be NI focused, but you can of course include literature and research from other jurisdictions
Subheadings are encouraged to assist with the format of your assignment
The assignment will be assessed as per the level 6 marking criteria Structure – Please use subheadings
• Introduction – set what you plan to do in the assignment and the approach you will take to discuss the statement. (1 Paragraph, roughly 250 words)
• Legislation and Policy – Should set out the background and the content for your assignment: Legislation and policy background specific to Northern Ireland and where applicable, the UK. Identify key debates and challenges (2 paragraphs totaling 500 words, roughly 250 words each)
• Historical Context – of Child welfare and protection work (UK and NI based), followed by a critical examination of key practice issues (2 paragraphs totaling 500 words, roughly 250 words each)
• Definitions and legal provisions for child Protection and family support – Should articulate definitions and legal provisions for Child protection and family support specific to Northern Ireland. Eg. Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 art 18. (2 paragraphs totaling 500 words, roughly 250 words each).
• Outline Fox Hardings – value positions and their relevance to the discussion and the challenge for social workers to reconcile these perspectives so as not to be working at extremes of practice, but to respond in a more appriopate manner to the needs of each individual. (2 paragraphs totaling 500 words, roughly 250 words each).
• Refocusing Debate – Should articulate the refocusing debate, thresholds for service intervention and current perspectives on whether current service provision models are striking the right balance between child protection and family support. (2 paragraphs totaling 500 words, roughly 250 words each).
• Critical Analyse – critically analyse the literature both nationally and internationally in relation to the assignment title (2 paragraphs totaling 500 words, roughly 250 words each).
• Ensure a focus on Anti-oppressive practice considerations and ethical practice
• Conclusion – should draw everything in your assignment together and summarise the key points. (1 paragrapgh, roughly 250 words)
