Quote: "Child protection is the safeguarding of children from violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect."
This subfield deals with helping children and families that are facing social and emotional difficulties. Social workers in this subfield work on cases involving abuse, neglect, addiction, mental health, and more.
Child Development: Study of the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of children from infancy to adolescence.
Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention: Methods and strategies to prevent and intervene in cases of child abuse and neglect.
Family Dynamics and Communication: Understanding of how family members interact and communicate with each other, as well as how family structures and roles affect behavior.
Cultural Competence: Awareness and understanding of cultural differences and how they impact social work practice in child and family settings.
Trauma-Informed Practice: Approach to social work that recognizes and addresses the impact of traumatic experiences on individuals and families.
Child Welfare Policy and Practice: Knowledge of laws, policies, and practices related to child welfare, including child protection, foster care, and adoption.
Mental Health and Children: Understanding and identification of mental health disorders in children and techniques to support their mental health and well-being.
Family Systems Theory: Understanding of the interconnectedness of family systems and how changes in one part of the system can affect the entire family unit.
Ethics in Child and Family Social Work: Study of ethical guidelines and principles applied in child and family social work practice.
Parenting Support and Education: Techniques and strategies to support parents in their role as caregivers, including parent education programs and interventions.
Domestic Violence Intervention: Understanding of domestic violence dynamics and practice strategies to intervene and support families impacted by domestic violence.
Quote: "The primary goal of child protection is to ensure that all children are safe and free from harm. This includes physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual abuse; neglect; exploitation; and violence."
Quote: "It involves identifying signs of potential harm, responding to allegations or suspicions of abuse..."
Quote: "Providing support and services to protect children and holding those who have harmed them accountable."
Quote: "Child protection also works to prevent future harm by creating policies and systems that identify and respond to risks before they lead to harm."
Quote: "Child protection services must be provided in a holistic way, taking into account the social, economic, cultural, psychological, and environmental factors that can contribute to the risk of harm."
Quote: "It also requires collaboration across sectors and disciplines to create a comprehensive system of support and safety for children."
Quote: "It is the responsibility of individuals, organizations, and governments to ensure that children are protected from harm and their rights are respected."
Quote: "Protecting them from physical, emotional and sexual abuse, and ensuring they have access to education, healthcare and other basic needs."
Quote: "UNICEF defines a 'child protection system' as the set of laws, policies, regulations, and services needed across all social sectors..."
Quote: "Especially social welfare, education, health, security, and justice – to support prevention and response to protection-related risks."
Quote: "Their aim includes supporting and strengthening families to reduce social exclusion and lower the risk of separation, violence, and exploitation."
Quote: "Responsibilities are often spread across government agencies, with services delivered by local authorities, non-State providers, and community groups."
Quote: "It [coordination] is a necessary component of effective child protection systems."
Quote: "Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child provides for the protection of children in and out of the home."
Quote: "[...] giving them quality education, the fourth of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in addition to other child protection systems."
Quote: "To protect a child has to start from conception; even how the conception took place can affect the child's development."
Quote: "For proper child development to take place, child protection must be put into consideration."
Quote: "These systems are part of social protection, and extend beyond it."
Quote: "Making coordination between sectors and levels, including routine referral systems, a necessary component of effective child protection systems."