Issues Of Safety And Protection Susie Costello

Issues of safety and protection
The vulnerable nature of childhood and children, Susie Costello highlights in their minimal agency in decision-making processes (Costello 2009, p. 118) as well as the intrinsic power imbalance established in the child’s dependency on parents/caregivers/adults to support them.
At present, Ben does not appear to be at risk of the abuse he was exposed to as a child such as ‘being thrown’ or being ‘left wet and hungry.’ However, Tanya’s ongoing cold and detached disposition towards him, indicated in her statement that she has never loved him and that there is nothing she likes about Ben, serve to disempower Ben and sustain the abuse and emotional neglect. Ben’s situation reflects section 162e of the Children, Youth

75). Conversely, involvement with child protection services will advocate for and have children as the central of focus in family work (Mercovich 2008, p. 75). Thus, in navigating between these competing child and adult focused services I run the risk of leaving children at risk of harm. In developing a family sensitive and strengths based intervention plan for the family, timely decision making is essential in ensuring children’s safety (Mercovich 2008, p. 75). In seeking to ‘strengthen the parent-child relationship through the child[ren] sharing their experiences’ of how parental mental illness affects them, this way elevates the child’s voice in including their story in the family narrative (Cowling 2012, p. 103). Aligning with the Best Interest Principles, to promote resilience and preserving positive relationships amongst the family, the children’s wellbeing remains central in family context (Children, Youth and Family Act, p. 21). By working transparently and honestly in collaboration with the family I aim to acknowledge family and individual rights. In acknowledging Tanya, Tom and the children as experts in their own lives and problems I aim to employ empowerment and respective practice while working with them (Teoh

Its ‘focus on thoughts, not feelings’ allows each individual to address their thought patterns (Elliott et. al, 2000, p 85). Whether it is Tanya’s attachment trauma issues, Toms schizophrenic thoughts and substance use or Ben’s low self-esteem or suicidal thoughts, this method brings awareness to how these thoughts make us feel (Elliott et. al, 2000, p 85). By actively involving the individual in the process of questioning their unwanted or negative thoughts it is likely they will start to apply these questioning skills to thought patterns outside therapy sessions, thus enabling a sense of agency and control (Elliott et. al, 2000, p 88- 91). While CBT may be applicable to Tom, Tanya and Ben, Elliot highlights it is in ‘no way an instant solution’ (Elliott et. al, 2000, p 97) for suicidal thoughts and depression. In this way, overconfidence in cognitive strategies can lead to tragic results. Therefore, as a family worker, recognising my limits in experience and the limits and constraints of CBT, while working with each individual and family is essential towards ethical and responsible