Child Care and Protection

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

Undergraduate Coursework Accountability Statement (To be completed by student)

ACADEMIC YEAR: 2013/2014 COURSE CODE: SOWK1001 NAME: Rockel Needham, Lashayna Russell Claudia Daley Krystal Myers

SEMESTER: One TITLE: Introduction to Social Work ID: 313102304 312103134 312102133 310200202

1. I hereby certify that I am the author of the attached item of coursework and that all materials from reference sources have been properly acknowledged. 2. I understand what plagiarism is and what penalties may be imposed on students found guilty of plagiarism. 3. I certify that this paper contains no plagiarised material. 4. I certify that this is my own work and that I did not receive any unfair assistance from others (including unauthorized collaboration) in its preparation. 5. I certify that this paper has not previously been submitted either in its entirety or in part within the UWI system or to any other educational institution. 6. In the case of group work: a. I certify that the individual work of each member of the group has been clearly indicated; b. that where no such indication has been given, I take the responsibility for the work as if it were the section of the paper for which I am solely responsible; and c. that I have not collaborated with any members of the group to breach the Universitys regulations.

Signature: Rockel Needham Lashayna Russell Claudia Daley Krystal Myers

Child Care and Protection

Date: 13/10/2013

Child Care and Protection 313102304 312103134 312102133 310200202 University of the West Indies Montego Bay Open Campus E-Tutor: Ms. Nyla James

Child Care and Protection

Child Care and Protection Description of the field of child care profession in Jamaica Child Care and Protection is an issue of vital importance in any country. It is a field that requires trained professionals as it deals with matters of immense sensitivity and privacy. According to the collage of social work the voice of social work in England Child protection is an umbrella term used to describe the complex system of overlapping services that promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people. The system aims to protect children from maltreatment, prevent damage to their health and development, ensure that they grow up in a safe environment and enter adulthood as successfully as possible. Globally, children are increasingly under threat. The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) calls for the full protection of and provision for our children at all times. Governments need to ensure that the rights of children are always respected, protected and fulfilled. In Jamaica this field is one that is governed by the Child Care and Protection Act 2004. This Act states that every adult in society (anyone over the age of eighteen) should make it their duty to protect children by reporting cases of abuse and neglect to the Registry of Child Abuse or the Child Development Agency. The laws set out in this act along with those in the National Association of Social Workers acts as a guide for social Workers in this field. According to the Child Care and Protection Act 2004 a child is a person under the age of

Child Care and Protection

eighteen years. The Child Care and Protection Act established a commission of parliament charged with the responsibility of protecting and enforcing the rights of children. This is known as the Childrens advocate. This act is also responsible for the establishment of the childrens registry. Based on the guidelines of this act a child is considered to be in need of care and protection if the child: 1. Has unfit or no parent or guardian. 2. Is being cared for in circumstances in which the child's physical or mental health or emotional state is being seriously impaired or there is a substantial risk that it will be seriously impaired. 3. Is destitute. 4. Wondering without any settled place of abode and without visible means of subsistence. 4. Begging or receiving alms or loitering for that purpose. 5. Is in a situation where he or she is being abused. These are just a few of the possible reasons a child could be removed from a home under the Child Care and Protection Act. Since the establishment of this act a number of different agencies have been implemented. In situations where problems in the families are so great as to cause harm or danger to the childs development; child development agencies can intervene. These agencies include: 1. Office of the Childrens registry (O.C.R). This agency was established January 1, 2007 under the Ministry of Youth and Culture as a provision of the Child Care and Protection Act. The main role of the Children's Registry is to receive reports of children

Child Care and Protection

who have been, are being or are likely to be abandoned, neglected, physically or sexually ill-treated, or are otherwise in need of care and protection. The Children's Registry records, assesses and then refers the reports to the Child Development Agency (CDA) and the Office of the Children's Advocate (OCA) for their investigation and action. 2. The Child Development Agency (C.D.A). They are responsible for protecting all children in Jamaica. 3. The Jamaica Foundation for Children (JFC). They have a friends hotline. This is a special hotline for children who want to talk about any problem, big or small. 4. The centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CICOSA). This is a special group of police men and Women who are responsible for investigating child abuse. 5. Probation Officers. They assist with counselling and investigation of cases involving the abuse of childrens rights. 6. The Jamaica Coalition on the Rights of the Child (JCRC). This is a group that speaks out for children. The profession of Child Care and Protection aims to address, as much as possible, the psychological, social, cultural, spiritual and biological needs of children and their families; these may occur at different life stages or in a variety of circumstances. In multidisciplinary settings, as in mandated agencies, the social workers central focus is in the care, custody and treatment of the children. Child Protection agencies centers on the client and utilizes skills and techniques which actualize the processes of development and change. It includes the necessary advocacy for children and their families in powerless and often hopeless situations. Their primal function is to capture the root value of "caring" as an underlying factor

Child Care and Protection

and force vital in emotional growth, rehabilitation, social competence and treatment of these children.

The issues facing the client population I. II. Neglect from parents or guardian. Abuse both physically and emotionally. This includes sexual abuse, physical abuse and mental abuse. III. Child Labour - According to the Child Care and Protection Act (CCPA 2004), it is an offence to employ a child under the age of thirteen. Children fifteen and over must not be employed in night work or in any industrial or hazardous work. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. Disability. Separation from family or orphaned by death. Fear of retaliation for reporting cases of abuse. Lack of proper parental supervision. Illegal detention of children at police stations. Poverty HIV/Aids Human Trafficking

Child Care and Protection

The roles, functions and duties of the social worker in the field I. Provides expertise and protection; they recognizes, respects, and advocate for the rights of the child, youth and family. II. Recognizes that professional responsibility is to the client and advocates for the client's best interest, they should respects the expectations and life patterns of clients. III. Ensures that services are sensitive to and non-discriminatory of clients regardless of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, national ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, abilities, mental or physical handicap, medical condition, political belief, political affiliation, socioeconomic status. IV. Obtains training, education, supervision, experience, and/or counsel to assure competent service. V. Recognizes that there are differences in the needs of children, and their families; therefore, individualized programs are designed to help them determine and meet the psychological, physical, social, and cultural and spiritual needs in their lives on an individual basis. These program designs seek to address the child's developmental status, understanding, capacity, and age. VI. Respects the privacy of clients and holds in confidence information obtained in the course of professional service. The fostering self-determination will enable the client to decisions as they pertain to their lives; if workers are unsure they should refer the

Child Care and Protection

client to other professionals and/or seek assistance to ensure appropriate service to resolve the current issues.

VII.

Investigates reports of child abuse, abandonment and neglect to determine the best interest of the child which supports the Courts and the Police.

VIII. IX.

Carries out advocacy/public education programs to prevent child abuse. Ensure that childrens rights are not being abused. In cases where their rights are being violated, remove and house these children.

Institutions responsible for housing wards of the state There are homes all over the island that house wards of the state. Some are government owned and operated and some are owned by private sector organizations. Juvenile remands for uncontrollable children South camp Juvenile Remand Centre for girls Hilltop Juvenile Correctional Centre for boys Rio Cobre Juvenile Correctional Remand Centre for boys Metcalfe Juvenile Correctional Remand Centre for boys

Childrens home or place of safety for children who are deemed to be at risk in their home or environment There are both private homes and government homes. Blossom gardens child care facilities is responsible for children 0-7 of both sex. Granville child care facility in Trelawny is responsible for girls 8 17 years old.

Child Care and Protection

St. Augustine child care facility in Clarendon is responsible for boys 8 17 years old. These are homes in the western region of Jamaica and are government owned and controlled. Information gathered from social worker practitioners currently working with client population 1. What is your name and job title? 2. What is the name of your agency? 3. What is your agencys main aim/ purpose? 4. What is your agencies mission statement, and how does it influence how you conduct your day-to-day activities? 5. What are your roles functions and duties in your agency as a social worker? 6. What are some of the issues facing children at your agencies? 7. What are some of the factors that may prevent these issues not to be resolved? 8. In your opinion what can be done to improve your agencys effectiveness? 9. What are some of the challenges or issues facing children who are in need of care and protection? 10. How do you deal with reports involving child offenders? 11. How do you deal with missing or sexually abused children? 12. How does the Care and Protection Act assist or hinder your work within this field? 13. How do you deal with any ethical conflicts when dealing with a case? 14. There have been rumours of wards being abused by agents of the state. If this were ever true, who would be responsible for handling this case and would the offenders be treated any differently? 15. How long can the police detain a child for committing an illegal act?

Child Care and Protection

10

References Child Care and Protection Act (2004). Retrieved from: http://www.moj.gov.jm/sites/default/files/laws/Child%20Care%20and%20Protection%20Act.pdf http://carolynjoycooper.wordpress.com/tag/child-care-and-protection-act-2004/ Martha A. Mattingly, Program in Child Development & Child Care, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15260, USAETHICS OF CHILD AND YOUTH CARE PROFESSIONALS1 http://www.pitt.edu/~mattgly/CYCethics.html Samuels, Carol. V., Chambers, Tania (1st Edition May 2005). Protecting Myself. Jamaica Coalition on the Rights of the Child, Kingston.

Child Care and Protection

11