This study examines how the unprecedented placement of blame on social workers in B.C., following the Report of the Gove Commission into Child Protection in 1995, has affected those workers, by exploring the phenomenon from the point of view of the social workers themselves. By using structural social work theory, with a feminist perspective, the conceptual context is explored in terms of how risk and blame have been constructed and how the relationship between clients and workers, and the treatment of social workers by management have been impacted by that construction. Purposeful criterion sampling was used, applying a snowball approach of recruitment. Ten social workers participated who are or have been recently employed by the Ministry for Children & Families. Data collection occurred through one focus group session as well as individual interviews. Transcripts of the interviews were made from audiotapes. Categorical and holistic content analysis led to identification of participant themes. Findings confirmed fear of blame as a significant contributor to high stress levels but, surprisingly, social workers expressed their belief that a similar fear was frequently behind management decisions. This research provides unique insight into the factors which motivate individuals to do the difficult work of child protection. It also offers an explanation for the ongoing difficulty which government experiences in recruiting and retaining skilled, trained staff, which, if unaddressed, is a serious impediment to the effective delivery of child welfare services in B.C.

This study examines how the unprecedented placement of blame on social workers in B.C., following the Report of the Gove Commission into Child Protection in 1995, has affected those workers, by exploring the phenomenon from the point of view of the social workers themselves. By using structural social work theory, with a feminist perspective, the conceptual context is explored in terms of how risk and blame have been constructed and how the relationship between clients and workers, and the treatment of social workers by management have been impacted by that construction. Purposeful criterion sampling was used, applying a snowball approach of recruitment. Ten social workers participated who are or have been recently employed by the Ministry for Children & Families. Data collection occurred through one focus group session as well as individual interviews. Transcripts of the interviews were made from audiotapes. Categorical and holistic content analysis led to identification of participant themes. Findings confirmed fear of blame as a significant contributor to high stress levels but, surprisingly, social workers expressed their belief that a similar fear was frequently behind management decisions. This research provides unique insight into the factors which motivate individuals to do the difficult work of child protection. It also offers an explanation for the ongoing difficulty which government experiences in recruiting and retaining skilled, trained staff, which, if unaddressed, is a serious impediment to the effective delivery of child welfare services in B.C. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

D.Cur. / The occupation of the SOS mother, which involves long-term care for orphaned and abandoned children under the SOS Children's Villages organisation, is unique and peculiar in many respects. She is expected to play a dual role of being a foster parent and a childcare professional, at the same time. The latter presents challenges of its own because the professional status is only recognised internally by the organisation. In one way or another, most of the children for which the SOS mother is responsible, have been exposed to some form of trauma. The problems of caring and parenting such children are well documented in the literature. These include learning and behaviour problems. For this reason, the mental health of the SOS mother, who is the focus of this study, should be of special interest to mental health practitioner. The motivation for this study arises out of a change that the organisation is trying to enforce in the work of the SOS mother. This change comes with the release of the new quality standards to guide village work. One of these standards, the SOS mother's autonomy, requires the SOS mother, like any mother in the community to take full responsibility for her SOS family, including the development of the children under her care. When she needs help, she seeks expert advice from village co-workers and from the community. In addition, the career of the SOS mother has to be developed so that she functions like a childcare professional and that her training is recognised by the government and other training institutions. This represents a big change from how most SOS villages have been operating. Up to this point, village co-workers made important decisions about the SOS family and the children while the SOS mother did the caring part. The change is expected to affect the interactions between SOS mothers and their co-workers and consequently, their mental health. For this reason, it was felt that there was a need to facilitate the implementation of the SOS mother's autonomy standard, which would also promote the mental health of the SOS mothers. The purpose of this research was, therefore, to develop and describe a model that would serve as a framework for the advanced psychiatric nurse practitioner to promote the mental health of SOS mothers by facilitating the implementation of the SOS mother's autonomy within SOS Children's Villages of Southern Africa Region 11. The research also focused on developing guidelines for the implementation of the model in practice.

This positivist research project will attempt to show a correlation between levels of child neglect and proportionate levels of methamphetamine abuse. The term abuse will be used to refer to the chronic, compulsive use of methamphetamine in such a manner, that it will assume a central and negative role in the individual's life style and will result in impaired functioning and parenting.

The current study investigated characteristics and case variables of sexually abused male children, and how those variables affect the outcome of cases investigated by Child Protective Services. Data was obtained from the RIverside County Department of Social Services, Child Welfare System/Case Management System. It was found that the largest percentages of perpetrators were the siblings of the victims.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether or not having social support serves as a tool of encouragement for youth to become skilled in areas preparing them for adulthood.

The purpose of this study is to conduct an outcome assessment of emancipated foster youth, who have completed aftercare services with the agency, Cameron Hill Associates.

This study uses a qualitative research design to examine the skills and knowledge that both CPS (Child Protective Service) workers and Foster Care Professionals have regarding AOD (Alcohol and Other Drug) issues. It includes information on professionals' perceptions of whether or not more education in this area is needed, and the impact that these AOD issues are having upon the child welfare / foster care systems.

The purpose of this project is to explore the extent of interaction between teachers and foster children's social workers in regard to their education.