The child in society: Promoting children’s well-being and responding to abuse and neglect

In this unit your attention will be drawn to the changing roles and views of children in our society. You will consider how views of children, social and cultural values and issues of power and authority have influenced laws and policies around child safety and wellbeing including groups such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, ‘orphans’ and ‘forgotten Australians’. You will be challenged to consider your own value systems and culture and how these may influence your practice. You will be encouraged to consider the inherent tensions between rights and responsibilities of parents, community, the state, children and their interests. You will be shown how to recognise indicators children may be at risk of harm and explore appropriate interventions. You will be introduced to best practice approaches that consider the holistic needs of the children including issues of safety, education, health, identity, culture and social inclusion. This subject will further encourage you to consider the issues likely to effect social workers in their role with children and practical approaches for responding to these.