NCJ Number
57654
Date Published
1977
Length
9 pages
Annotation
A REVIEW OF THE ROLE OF BRITISH SOCIAL WORKERS IN CHILD ABUSE CASES IS MADE, AND PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS ARE OFFERED FOR MAKING THEIR HOME VISITS USEFUL TO THE COURTS.
Abstract
EVEN THOUGH IT IS ACCEPTED THAT MOST CASES OF CHILD ABUSE (EXCEPT FOR CASES INVOLVING MENTAL OR SEXUAL PERVERSION) ARISE FROM MARITAL BREAKDOWNS, THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION HAS NOT DEALT WITH THIS REALITY. THE PROFESSION HAS BEEN MORE CONCERNED WITH THE IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS OF CHILD ABUSE (INJURY) THAN WITH THE CONSEQUENCES TO CHILDREN OF FAULTY AND SOMETIMES HOSTILE INTERACTION BETWEEN THEIR PARENTS. WHEN PARENTS TURN TO THE CHILDREN FOR SUPPORT THE CHILDREN BECOME THE NEXT BATTLEGROUND. IN BRITAIN THERE ARE FIVE PROCEEDINGS IN WHICH COURTS CAN REQUEST REPORTS FROM SOCIAL WORKERS--CARE, MATRIMONIAL, CRIMINAL, WARDSHIP, AND DIVORCE. THE VALUE OF SUCH REPORTS IS LIMITED IN THAT PARENTS CAN PREVENT SOCIAL WORKERS FROM ENTERING THEIR HOMES AND THAT MOST REPORTS ARE MADE ON THE BASIS OF JUST ONE VISIT. IN CONTESTED CUSTODY CASES, SOCIAL WORKERS MUST PREPARE REPORTS WHICH COURTS CAN USE IN MAKING DECISIONS. COURTS ALSO RELY ON SOCIAL WORKERS TO RECOMMEND THE TYPE OF ACCESS TO BE ACCORDED A PARENT WHOSE CHILD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM CUSTODY OF THAT PARENT. IN SOME CASES, THE COURTS MAY ASK THAT SOCIAL WORKERS SUPERVISE THE FAMILIES AND MAKE PERIODIC REPORTS. SECTIONS 64 AND 103 OF ENGLAND'S CHILDREN ACT OF 1975 MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO APPOINT A SOCIAL WORKER OR PROBATION OFFICER TO REPRESENT CHILDREN IN CERTAIN COURT PROCEEDINGS. THE RESPONSIBILITIES ASSUMED BY WORKERS IN COURT PROCEEDINGS REQUIRE THAT THESE PROFESSIONALS BE WELL TRAINED IN PREPARING COURT REPORTS. (KCP)