Advocacy team working on a complex case
Imagine you are part of a child advocacy team
working on a complex case involving multiple
stakeholders, such as child protective services, the
legal system, and medical professionals.
Option One: What are two ethical considerations
you need to address, and how do you balance the
rights of the child with the needs of the system?
Option Two: What have you learned about in this
course thus far related to theories and due process
that you would want to ensure are given priority?
How would you share that with your stakeholder
group?
Explore the role of educational and rehabilitative
services in reducing recidivism among children and
families. Select a specific intervention program or
service and present its key components, goals, and if
applicable any outcomes. Discuss the potential impact.
Sample Solution
Option One: Balancing Child Rights and System Needs
Ethical Considerations:
-
Best Interest of the Child: This principle prioritizes the child's long-term well-being and needs above all other considerations. Balancing this with the system's needs, which may prioritize upholding laws and procedures, can be challenging.
-
Confidentiality and Privacy: Maintaining the child's confidentiality and protecting them from unnecessary exposure or harm from the system's processes is crucial. Balancing this with transparency and information sharing between stakeholders to ensure proper investigation and interventions can be complex.
Full Answer Section
Balancing Rights and Needs:- Advocate for the child's voice and needs to be heard and understood within the system. This can involve facilitating communication between the child and stakeholders, ensuring their opinions and concerns are considered in decision-making.
- Promote trauma-informed approaches that recognize the potential impact of abuse and neglect on the child's development and behavior. This can involve advocating for appropriate support services and minimizing re-traumatization during investigations and legal proceedings.
- Seek collaborative solutions that prioritize the child's safety and well-being while respecting the system's need for due process and accountability. This may involve facilitating negotiations between stakeholders, exploring alternative placements, or advocating for necessary reforms within the system itself.
- Attachment Theory: Understanding the importance of healthy attachments for child development can inform advocacy for stable placements and reunification efforts when possible.
- Ecological Systems Theory: Recognizing the role of multiple influences on the child's situation, including family, community, and societal factors, can guide holistic advocacy efforts.
- Due Process Rights: Ensure the child's right to fair and equal treatment within the legal system, including access to legal representation, impartial hearings, and opportunities to appeal decisions.
- Present relevant theories and due process principles in a clear and concise manner, focusing on their practical application in the specific case.
- Engage stakeholders in discussions about how these principles can inform decision-making and ensure all parties are aware of their obligations towards the child.
- Utilize available resources and expertise on child development and legal rights to strengthen your advocacy efforts.
- Key Components: Individual and family therapy sessions, skill-building workshops, case management, and peer support groups.
- Goals: Improve communication and problem-solving within families, address underlying issues like mental health or substance abuse, and strengthen parenting skills.
- Outcomes: Research shows FFT reduces recidivism rates by up to 70%, improves family relationships, and promotes positive child development.
- Potential Impact: Implementing FFT in child welfare systems can reduce reliance on foster care, save costs, and create healthier family environments for vulnerable children.