Search results for ‘Subject term:"child protection"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 6 of 6
Removing children from families as a measure of social welfare
- Authors:
- FRANZ Branka Sladovic, MUJKANOVIC Denka
- Journal article citation:
- Ljetopis Studijskog Centra Socijalnog Rada, 10(2), 2003, pp.229-241.
- Publisher:
- University of Zagreb
- Place of publication:
- Zagreb
The authors give a descriptive analysis of characteristics concerning the removal of 34 children from 19 families in a period of three years (2000-2002), as well as of the practical difficulties occurring during social welfare interventions. The results indicate that children have mostly been removed from repeatedly problematic families, which did not receive adequate help and support in time and that the centre for social welfare is confronted with a series of practical difficulties in dealing with child protection. In conclusion, the authors stress the need for encouraging the establishment of private social welfare service, especially in the field of providing support and aid for families in which children’s normal development has been threatened. [Article in Croatian].
Selection of out-of-family placement for children at risk in family
- Author:
- FRANZ Branka Sladović
- Journal article citation:
- Ljetopis Studijskog Centra Socijalnog Rada, 11(2), 2004, pp.215-228.
- Publisher:
- University of Zagreb
- Place of publication:
- Zagreb
After reaching the decision to remove the child from their primary family, professionals in social welfare centres have to decide where to place the child in order to ensure in the best possible way its proper psychosocial development. In this study 112 experts employed in social welfare centres and children's homes participated in focus groups. The results first present the selection criteria of the forms of out-of-family placement which are of the best interest for children removed from the primary family, according to the work place of the expert. However, the main criteria of selection a form of residence in everyday practice is the existence of a vacancy in an institution or foster family ready to accept the child. Since the proper selection of our-of-family placement is the main prerequisite of good quality care for children outside their own family, it is necessary to create preconditions for an informed choice of the professionals in procedures of removing the children. [Article in Croatian].
The opinion of professionals on removing children from the family: interview results
- Author:
- FRANZ Branka Sladović
- Journal article citation:
- Ljetopis Studijskog Centra Socijalnog Rada, 11(1), 2004, pp.115-130.
- Publisher:
- University of Zagreb
- Place of publication:
- Zagreb
This article presents the analysis of semi-structured interviews, regarding the procedure of removing children from the family, conducted with 22 professionals, members of team for marriage and family at social welfare centres. The main criterion from removing children from the family is a threat to the child's psychophysical development. Among threatening circumstances are most often listed poverty, unemployment and alcoholism, i.e. families with multiple problems. A critical decision making moment for removing the child is usually a report on serious child abuse or the escalation of an unsatisfactory situation in the family that has been monitored for a longer period of time. The greatest doubts in the procedures of removing children are, according to the experts, linked with 1) parents who want to look after their children properly (but are not doing so for a number of reasons) 2) parents with whom children are emotionally close and 3) real possibility of helping children placed in institutions in terms of a lack of sufficient treatment activities in such institutions or of proper foster parents. The conclusion stresses the need 1) for universal assessment of family resources and risks, and 3) for supervision. [Article in Croatian].
Psychological and background correlates of bullying in adolescent residential care
- Authors:
- FARRINGTON David P., SEKOL Ivana
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work, 16(4), 2016, pp.429-459.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Summary: This research examined psychological and background correlates of bullying in adolescent residential care. Young people aged 11–21 (N = 601) from 22 residential institutions in Croatia completed an anonymous self-reported bullying questionnaire, the Basic Empathy Scale, the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale and the Big Five Personality Inventory. Findings: The results demonstrated that both male and female bullies tend to be disagreeable, careless, neurotic, likely to hold attitudes approving of bullying, and likely to bully others in school. Male bullies also tend to be extraverted, lacking in affective empathy, tend to have a history of bullying during their earlier placements, and tend to have been institutionalised for problematic behaviour. It is concluded that bullying is more persistent for males and that psychological and personality factors play a greater role in male bullying than in female bullying. However, both male and female bullies had commonly been school bullies. Applications: Bullying in care might be mitigated by: a) avoiding accommodating residents who are prone to victimisation together with older, more experienced residents who manifest antisocial behaviour; b) programmes aimed at changing attitudes approving of bullying; c) techniques for controlling the impulsivity of bullies; and d) empathy enhancement programmes. However, longitudinal research on bullying is needed. (Publisher abstract)
Assessment processes in social work with children at risk in Sweden and Croatia
- Authors:
- BRUNNGERG Elinor, PECNIK Ninoslava
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Social Welfare, 16(3), July 2007, pp.231-241.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The aim of this article is to compare Swedish and Croatian social workers’ assessments and protection of a 4-year-old child exposed to risk in its own family. The data were collected from 87 Croatian and 72 Swedish social workers by means of a questionnaire, which incorporated a vertical vignette. Effects of the participant's country of residence were investigated with respect to: (i) risk assessments; (ii) perception of the main problems; (iii) tolerance of corporal punishment; (iv) judgements about appropriateness of interventions. The results suggest that Croatian social workers have a more child-protective approach than their Swedish colleagues. Swedish social workers have a more supportive approach than Croatian social workers. Despite fundamental similarities in assessments between the countries, significant differences were found in preferred interventions. The Swedish social workers were more in favour of keeping the child at home with the support of social services. The Croatian social workers were more in favour of removing the child from home by means of a care order. This might primarily be attributed to the differences in availability of family support services and to different discourses in Sweden and Croatia.
Do abused children need a contact with the parent abuser?
- Author:
- JELACA Natasa
- Journal article citation:
- Ljetopis Studijskog Centra Socijalnog Rada, 9(2), 2002, pp.303-312.
- Publisher:
- University of Zagreb
- Place of publication:
- Zagreb
This article argues that social workers are obliged, based on a detailed case history and the estimate of each individual family to make a decision that would best protect the interests of the child, adhering to the prescribed legal framework. [Article in Croatian].