Serving children at home

SERVING CHILDREN AT HOME

Many situations threaten home life, including domestic violence, substance use disorders, child maltreatment, and mental health issues. When home life becomes unstable, child welfare services may become involved and (if necessary) remove the child from the situation. Children within the child welfare system must navigate new living arrangements, cultural differences, and complex feelings about their biological family and their foster or adoptive family. These feelings may be further complicated by the developmental changes occurring for the child at the same time. Social workers, who act within the best interests of the child and also value family preservation, can help children and families through these situations.

In this Discussion, you analyze a scenario involving a young boy being placed in a foster home, considering the social worker’s role in supporting the child and family.

To prepare:

Review the Learning Resources on social work with children and families.

Consider the following scenario:

Jon, a 9-year-old boy, was removed from his home due to neglect and placed in a foster home headed by a lesbian couple. The foster family loves Jon, and the social worker is considering permanency planning. Jon likes his foster family but ultimately wants to return to his biological family. Due to his biological parents’ substance use, it is not clear whether or not they will be able to regain custody.

Main Assignment:

Explain the developmental, ecological, and cultural factors that need to be considered when serving this child and family.

What might be the role(s) of a social worker in supporting Jon and both his biological and foster families?

Reflection:

Identify at least two challenge a social worker may face while assuming the role(s) described by a classmate. Propose methods for working through the challenge(s).

Langford, J., & Keaton, C. (2022). Introduction to social work: A look across the profession. https://uta.pressbooks.pub/introtosocialwork/

oChapter 8, “Social Work Practice With Children and Families”Links to an external site.

East Lothian Council. (2019, March 19). Being a social worker (children and families)Links to an external site. [Video]. YouTube.