Providing Services When a Threat May Exist

Providing Services When a Threat May Exist

BSHS/408

June 6, 2016

Providing Services When a Threat May Exist

As human service professionals, child abuse is a common scenario.  Therefore, professionals must be able to detect child abuse and neglect so we can intervene.   The purpose of this paper is to discuss prevention methods as well as interventions in different settings.  We will talk about the primary interventions and methods human service professionals use to prevent child abuse and neglect in a family setting.  Additionally, we will discuss the primary interventions and methods human service professionals use to prevent child abuse and neglect in a school setting.  We also will consider what ethical issues arise and other factors that must be considered when working with children in a school setting.  

Primary Interventions and Methods

        Since child abuse is a common occurrence, there are a number of methods human services professionals can use to help educate and intervene in child maltreatment cases.  The mediations for both the school and home setting use different techniques.  Regardless of the differences, all strategies help to decrease and hopefully prevent child abuse and neglect.  Government grants and resources, along with community money are used to support the interventions.    

Family Setting

        In a family situation, parent education is one strategy that can be utilized.  This particular form of intervention educates parents.  The education is used to teach parents about their children.  Many times parents are unsure of how to accurately guide their kids, particularly those who have behavioral or conduct problems.  For the human services professional, considering the atmosphere that surrounds children is a must.  Elements of the environment play a major part in modifying the conduct of children.

        Parent education has major positive impacts on the way people parent.  In fact, studies show that with the use of parent education, child abuse decreases.  When evaluating parent education, it appears that a collaboration of ability building, the elimination of criticism, and modeling positive parenting practices work best in educating parents.          (Hirschy and Wilkinson, 2010)

Types of Parent Education

        Typically, parent education is conducted by social workers, counselors, pastors, and educators.  The idea behind parent education is to make an impact on parents before abuse begins.  In other words, the classes are held for proactive reasons as well as to chance behavior immediately.  Keep in mind; parents may be ordered to participate in classes if requested by social services.  The mandatory classes are for parents whose children no longer reside with the family because they are in foster care.  Thankfully, there are different educational options for parents to receive the information they need on child abuse and neglect.  (Hirschy and Wilkinson, 2010)