Search results for ‘Subject term:"vulnerable children"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 5 of 5
Effective working with neglected children and their families: linking interventions to long-term outcomes
- Authors:
- FARMER Elaine, LUTMAN Eleanor
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 240p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Parents who neglect children present considerable challenges to child welfare professionals. They are often resistant to change but there is relatively little evidence available on what works in this situation. This book addresses the need to ensure that social care interventions provide better long term outcomes for neglected children across services. Based on a research study into social care provision for children, it provides insight into the experiences of neglected children over a period of five years, examining the responsiveness of parents and children to social care support and their progress. The study highlights gaps in provision for neglected children after the initial referral stage, the risks and potential for professional interventions and how well the child protection system and the courts protect children. The authors suggests ways that local authorities and other professionals can meet the complex needs of the children most likely to fall through the safety net, the factors related to good outcomes for them and how to improve safeguarding strategies within and beyond children's services. Providing a critical account of policy, systems and practice, this book is aimed at anyone who needs the latest evidence about safeguarding children, including policymakers, social workers and professionals in health care and the family justice system.
Managing sexually abused and/or abusing children in substitute care
- Authors:
- FARMER Elaine, POLLOCK Sue
- Journal article citation:
- Child and Family Social Work, 8(2), May 2003, pp.101-112.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This paper reports on research on the characteristics, management and therapeutic treatment of sexually abused and/or abusing children in substitute care. Of the 40 sexually abused and/or abusing young people aged 10 or over in the interview sample, two-thirds showed sexual behaviours in the placement studied but one-third did not. The range of sexual behaviours shown by the young people is described. Analysis of the findings shows that four key components of effective management are supervision, adequate sex education, modification of inappropriate sexual behaviour and therapeutic attention to the needs that underlie such behaviour. Supervision includes planning for safe care before placement, preparing other children in the setting, teaching young people how to keep themselves safe when out on their own, and careful monitoring of contact with birth family members. The need for a proactive approach to sex education is stressed. Effective management approaches to masturbation, sexualized behaviour and sexually abusing behaviour are discussed but the processes of denial and minimization of sexual abuse and the development of high thresholds for action when looked after children are abused or at risk are shown to present obstacles to effective care. Finally, the importance of addressing children's deeper needs is emphasized, including the importance of regular review of their need for counselling. At the end of the article two case examples from the study are given.
Family reunification with high risk children: lessons from research
- Author:
- FARMER Elaine
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 18(4/5), 1996, pp.403-424.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Reports on selected findings from a national study of reunification practice in the UK. The sample consisted of children reunified with their families after compulsory removal through the courts. Data were gathered through review of the children's social work files and in-depth interviews with a small number of parents and social workers. Two markedly different groups of children emerged: the disaffected adolescents who had been removed for offending and truanting and the younger protected children removed from abuse, neglect or family breakdown. The most successful reunifications in both groups were first attempts. Second or subsequent placements at home had higher failure rates. For the disaffected adolescents appropriate special educational provision helped make reunification work. For the protected children a number of factors were associated with successful outcomes and these are discussed in the article. Given the extent of disruption experienced by the children and their families prior to reunification, social work intervention aimed at maximising continuities for children during separation is seen as crucial.
Holes in the safety: the strengths and weaknesses of child protection procedures
- Author:
- FARMER Elaine
- Journal article citation:
- Child and Family Social Work, 4(4), November 1999, pp.293-302.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article uses findings from empirical research to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of the child protection procedures in the UK. Explores how successful the initial child protection case conference, registration and later review meetings are in ensuring that the decisions and plans made at one stage are implemented at the next. The findings emphasised the importance of adequate planning for children and families at initial child protection conferences and the need for an overhaul of the conduct of reviews if they are to be used more effectively.
Sexually abused and abusing children in substitute care
- Authors:
- FARMER Elaine, POLLOCK Sue
- Publisher:
- Wiley
- Publication year:
- 1998
- Pagination:
- 267p.
- Place of publication:
- Chichester
Based on a research study. Addresses issues such as: how to manage sexually abused and abusing children and minimise the risks they present to themselves and others; the frequency of re-abuse in substitute care; the categories of children who can or cannot be placed safely with others and those who require specialist placements; the effectiveness of therapeutic help and other interventions for sexually abused or abusing children; and good practice ideas on finding suitable placements and providing adequate preparation, training and support to caregivers.